Hello there! We have just entered a season of pumpkin spice latte, pecan pie, pumpkin bread and I haven’t ever started with Thanksgiving menu. This is that time of the year when everyone can easily put on weight: vegetarian, vegans or meat lover, sweet and savory tooth. There’s a treat for each and every one of us!
So, whether you want to avoid the feeling of heaviness in the stomach, don’t want to gain weight, or try to stay fit around the holidays, this post is for you!
Think ahead and make a plan:
Remember that time of the year when everyone thinks long and hard before coming up with New Year Resolutions? I am sure that at most of us add “Eat healthier” or “Exercise more” to the list after we make sure we had enough chocolate mint mochas and pumpkin/pecan pie to make it until next year. What if you just start now by taking it easy on fats and sugar around holidays? I bet it would be easier to eat healthier in New Year.
Cook at home
By preparing meals at home you control the amount of fat and sugar, and make sure you have quality ingredients in your meals. There is a tremendous difference in calories between homemade pie and the one you get at a grocery store.
Also, last year I started making my own cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving just because I love cranberries so much this time of the year, and preserved, pasteurized, processed food doesn’t feel something I would like to treat my family with.
or
Eat Out
I know that I may sound crazy now: holidays are all about eating at home and get the family together. And I remember the times when we used to spend so much time preparing holiday meals for the family. The benefits of having meal out on Thanksgiving/Christmas: you enjoy spending time with each other instead of spending time in the kitchen AND you don’t have an enormous amount of calories to consume the week after the holiday!
Eat what you really like
This is just about time to be selective about your food. Treat yourself to your favorite dish, you don’t have to eat everything you see. This is a holiday meal, not our last meal 😂
Work out – Thank your body, not your stomach.
Your body’s been serving you good, it’s time to thank it.
This is probably the best way to stay out of trouble during holidays: to stay active, walk more and exercise on a regular basis. I could have ten apps to count calories and yet I would not do it at least on Thanksgiving and Christmas (my bad). I’d rather stick to my workout routine, walk more and drink more water, than worry about every bite of food I take.
Plan ahead and write it down
I don’t like planning (unless it’s about a trip haha), but I always do it during holidays. It helps to stay organized without getting overwhelmed this time of the year. I would suggest to write everything down as well and put the reminders like “drink more water” so that you won’t forget about it. It’s easier than you think.
Stay active, and enjoy time with family!
Walk your dog, go for a morning run with a family, enjoy outdoor activities, play some games etc. The point is for everyone to have fun, be happy and healthy, right? Make it happen by doing something new this year!
XX,
Gena
Great post 😁
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thanks!
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Such great points! I love the idea Of eating out during those meals that you would otherwise spend hours cooking. Such a great way to actually get to enjoy each other over dinner
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Thanks girl! That’s so true – holidays are for having fun, not for spending hours cooking 🙂
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I spent a couple of Christmases eating out but to me there is no game, home wins always, either way I love these tips, you can enjoy the holidays and still be healthy.
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Thank you so much Veronica! I think I agree with you – home always wins when the whole family gets together. But here in Austin, there is no snow, so there is no Christmas spirit for me. So, we travel every year – that way we can see the snow, enjoy Christmas, and avoid those naughty calories by eating out hahaha
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In Rome doesn’t snow either but it gets very cold, I think if you get to go to snowy place you should definitely go but just to go to a restaurant I don’t think it’s worth it.
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I find these tips very helpful, taking time during the holidays to be healthy and workout is such a life saver
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Thank you Paula! I just think that we can all be happy and healthy, even during holidays!
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Love these tips, I always over indulge and don’t get active enough around the Holidays because I’m so busy. This is giving me inspiration to stay on track
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Thank you for your kind words Leigh! 🙂
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I need to plan what meal is going to be my bigger meal and not snack all day.
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hahaha that’s a very good point! I love snacking as well
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I think these tips are great. Plus i totally agree with the eating what you like. When on holiday it’s supposed to be a relaxing break. The last thing you need to do is stress about what you can and can’t eat. Eating in moderation is the key.
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I couldn’t agree more! And there is no need to eat everything you see, right? Stick to your favorite stuff and keep it easy
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Just be mindful with all that you do!
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That’s so true!
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That post comes at the perfect time. After all that partying and eating for Thanksgiving. I needed such a reminder.
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Hahaha thank you! I hope you find it useful
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Keeping this saved so that I stay on track during this indulgent season!
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Thank you Leigh! 😉
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How I eat and my portion sizes are the same right now. The biggest problem will be winter as I ate less this summer (due to the heat) and I will be staying inside due to the cold.
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I am so with you on this one! It’s so hot and humid during summers that I am always in the mood of lighter meals, but when it gets colder, all I want to eat is a cookie with a cup of tea. Especially in the evenings!
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The holidays bring family together but on the other side we can easily lose control over our intake. The tips come in handy especially because soon will be Christmas and we plan to prepare food at home this year.
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That’s so true Rose! I love family time, but I get really irritated if my jeans get tight hahaha
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I love this! I think it’s so important to still treat yourself but in moderation and of course workout and don’t stop, lol!
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You are so right Adriana! I am always in the mood of cookie during holidays hahaha
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I like that I can just continue to make progress and know that all is not lost because of the holidays.
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I couldn’t agree more Rachel! Thank you for teaming up with me on this one 🙂
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This is super helpful, I find holidays so hard to control what I am eating! I like the idea of planning & starting now rather than in the NY!
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Thank you so much! I feel like it’s easier to start now before I put on weight lol
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Cooking at home helps so much! It’s a great way to ensure our family is eating enough veggies!
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That’s so true! I love good family meals 🙂
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I love your tips here. We need to remember to stay fit during the holidays. It is so easy to get carried away with the festivities.
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These are some great tips! It’s easy to go a bit mad in the holidays, but its important to be sensible too.
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I am so glad you find it helpful! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
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The holidays make everything that much harder. I lost my dad this November so I havent really had the desire to do anything! But I need to get back to normal soon..
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I am so sorry for your loss ;( But think of it as if your dad would truly love if you had fun and moved on, right? It would make him so happy!
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