The end-of-year holiday lineup can be a fun time, filled with parties, gifts, good times, and family gatherings. However, it can also be difficult to maintain healthy habits near the end of the year. As your schedule fills up, keep these strategies in mind.
1. If you find yourself attending many events and adding on extra snacks and meals, opt for smaller portions. You can always go back for more later if you choose.
2. Don’t forget to be social at events and gatherings. Focus on hanging out, having fun, and interacting with those around you, rather than eating and drinking. Socialize away from the food and drinks, and you’ll be less likely to go back for seconds and thirds.
3. Before you get to the party, have a plan. It is a good idea to keep in mind how much you would like to consume as you plan your meals across your days and weeks.
4. All the excitement of seeing family and friends can lead us to overindulge quickly, which means losing track of what you are consuming. Take it slow. Know what you’d like to eat, know what you don’t want to eat, remember that gatherings are also about being social, and take your time with the food and beverages.
5. Perhaps the greatest challenge of the holidays is the schedule shifts. You might have worked all year long to develop healthy habits. Don’t lose sight of that hard work, and try your best to stick to your routines. If, and when, you need to break them, try to prioritize and limit those occurrences. For example, if you exercise every evening after work, holiday parties can put a damper on that habit. Try shifting to a morning routine, or be conscious of how many times you are willing to disrupt your plans.
6. Throughout the holidays, don’t lose sight of what your version of indulging and enjoying truly is. Maybe you look forward to your grandma’s pie all year long but can easily pass up on a glass of eggnog. Perhaps what you like more than any of that is simply the fun of getting together and enjoying great company or playing fun games. Remember to choose the things that bring you joy.
Nutrition Consultant & Wellness Ambassador
Your Health Matters, LLC
