Weighing the options
I don’t have the kind of metabolism that I can say ‘what the heck’ and eat and drink whatever I want over the holiday season. After all, it’s a season…not a day, not a week, or even a month – it’s a whole season. I can do a lot of damage in a season. If I let all my healthy routines and habits go, I’d literally be erasing all the progress I’ve made and be faced with starting over. But, going face first into every delicious temptation I see will only move me further away from my 18-20% total body fat goal.
I’m also not the kind of person that is going to be able to have the willpower to not indulge a bit over the next month. In other words, I don’t want to crawl up and hibernate under a rock…alone. I have holiday parties, pot luck lunches, bowl game get-togethers, and festive new year celebrations to attend.
A balanced game plan
So for me, it’s about finding a healthy balance between good and evil eating. Here’s my holiday game plan:
- I’m keeping my healthy routine as much as I can by writing out my weekly dinner meal plans, prepping my breakfasts and lunches to take to work, drinking my morning juice cleanse and maintaining my exercise regime of 5-6 workouts a week.
- Allowing myself to indulge in homemade treats. I tell myself that I know what the store-bought candy and cookies taste like – same as they always do. They are available all year long so I’m choosing to not splurge on those! The only exception to the homemade treat rule is the limited edition one like those darn Peppermint Chip Chickfila milkshakes.
- I will avoid getting too hungry. I will eat a snack before I head out for errands and parties, drink more water, and keep a healthy snack stashed in my purse for ‘hangry’ emergencies.
- I will sign up to bring the healthy dish to the potluck parties. Every party needs a veggie tray, a tossed salad, or an antipasto tray. This ensures I have something I can eat that I know I’ll like.
- During the parties, I will put the primary focus on socialization, the gift exchange, or at least the veggie tray! I will also drink a glass of water between each cocktail.
Looking ahead
For me, my realistic goal between Thanksgiving and New Years Day is to maintain…after all temptation is everywhere and we are human! Even God’s first man and woman were initially tempted by just a healthy old apple! I hope it was at least a Honeycrisp.
So, what’s your game plan to stay on track this holiday season? How do you want to feel when the New Year starts?
