Healthy Holiday Habits to start ASAP!

Holiday season is in full swing. Holidays = some more craziness than usual, things to acquire, people to host, places to be, host gifts to buy, lots of extra goodies, wine, champagne, IPAs, bourbon, comfort foods…did I miss anything?

All of this can equal mayhem on your stress levels (sanity), and digestion (bloat). Throw a move to the suburbs in the mix (we just moved!) and a little extra effort has to go into keeping a healthy mindset.

Are you keeping a healthy mindset this holiday season?

Here are few things you can focus on, on a daily basis in order to feel your best through the holiday parties, celebrations, snow days & school days-off!

1. EVERYDAY MOVEMENT

   Seems pretty straightforward - figure out time to get in movement every day. 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, or a full workout - pick the least intimidating, and if you are able to keep going, do it.

   This was incredibly easy when we lived in the city. I would walk to get coffee every morning with Graham (if you’ve met Graham, you know this is a full-body exercise LOL) and we would take the long way home for extra steps. Now, being in the suburbs - I’ve had to adjust my daily movement. I love doing hotel workouts. What are hotel workouts? Workouts you could do in a hotel with no equipment, on short time, and they are google-able. Usually they consist of a series of 3 movements that you repeat (think: squats, lunges, pushups, toe touches, jumping jacks, etc.) I also fancy some of my apps when I don't want to think and want someone to time-keep for me, and we have a Peloton in the basement that lost a leg during the move (RIP) so I am waiting patiently for that to be fixed for a good 15 min run with Cody/ .Also, my girls love to scooter outside in our driveway and that gives me a great excuse for sunshine and a few extra steps.

2. BOOZE

   If your parties revolve around having a glass in your hand - add ice cubes. This will give a wee bit more hydration (ok, this is a stretch, maybe) but TRULY it will make the glass hold less of your beverage, which will benefit you in the end.

   Tip No.2 is to have a full glass of water before you start, as well as a glass in between every drink. One for one. This will buy you time, keeps something in your hands which is key, and also keeps you hydrated. Have a full 2 glasses of water before bed, too! I also like to include a hydration enhancer (electrolytes, or like a Liquid IV) before bed to further ensure I’m hydrated.

3. food

There is no use in dwelling on “unhealthy” habits or “cheating” when it comes to this time of year. If you guilt yourself, you will only feel worse so enjoy every moment. Honestly, the more I ENJOY the experience, the food, the less I focus on “what I’m doing bad”and I end up “indulging” less. Everyone has their own way of dealing with holiday sweets and treats and the best way I know how? Start your day off on the right foot and set the tone of how you want to treat your body both inside and out. Get your greens in with a green smoothie or juice as well as a giant glass of lemon water. Make sure you do not starve your body before your holiday party in an effort to “save calories”. Instead, nourish your body leading up to the outing so it is not crying out for food when you get there. In fact, I’ll usually have a snack that includes fat and protein so I know I am satisfied before I get somewhere. Then I can enjoy the apps based on what I want to try instead of filling a desire or satiating a craving.

Need any other tips? Leave a comment below and I will do my best to give you my advice!