Wait, don’t click out yet.
While yes, I do think drinking more water and fitting in exercise are great advice for the holiday season, I’m not going to list out all the tips you’ve undoubtedly heard before. My former health coach self remembers being trained to give out advice like “eat before you go” and “fill up on vegetables” and though that certainly isn’t bad advice, it isn’t exactly the set of “rules” I follow.
Instead, here is what works for me during this crazy time of year.
FYI, this was yesterday’s lunch- this kale salad doctored up with dried cherries, goat cheese and roasted pumpkin seeds. Do it.
Ok, first things first.
I manage my stress level. Stress is a sneaky thing that can manifest itself in so many different ways. I find when it sneaks up on me that my quality of sleep tanks, my desire to say screw it lets eat out skyrockets and my consumption of wine steadily increases. It all adds up to feeling pretty lousy if I let it take over.
So what to do?
I eliminate stress.
Ha. Just kidding. Like that’s possible when the behavior state of these two cuties matches the chaos of our poorly decorated, disorganized office.
This was me trying to send a quick email yesterday morning. And yes, that Minnie is “singing” at a decibel level that should not be allowed in toys.
However I do monitor my stress more closely and essentially baby myself to manage it. If I feel the level of pressure/anxiety rising, I prioritize stress-reducing activities. That includes exercise (even if it means having to hit up a different class time than my normal to fit it in), going to bed early or letting laundry piles sit (I’m looking at you unpacked suitcases) in favor of Disney Christmas movie watching or ice skating around the house with the girls to the Glee Christmas station on Pandora.
I can’t do it all this holiday season. Instead I prioritize my list and be sure to include wiggle room for just enjoying this time of year.
I don’t bring the party food into my house. Well, unless I’m throwing the party. But otherwise, I stick to business as usual on the grocery front. Meal planning helps me organize healthy meals for the week when I’m in a sane/satiated state of mind.
Once I hit the grocery store, the peppermint bark pretzels and decadent dip samples are ready to lure me in, but armed with a list, it’s easier to resist.
And now…
I interrupt this post to show you a cute picture that has nothing to do with the content.
I love this kid.
Ok, maybe I could caption this with get the kids involved? It’s certainly always a good piece of advice. In fact, it rings true this time of year too, as I’m ever-growing more aware of the habits I’m demonstrating for the girls. I hope they learn moderation, like I learned from my mom.
Ok, my final guideline for the holiday season?
Eat the party food that actually excites you. Unless your social life is much more packed than mine (likely), you will only encounter the party foods on occasion. When you do, pick out what really lights your fire. For me, cheap cookies with red sugar do nothing for me. But a fancy cheese and sausage combo? A homemade piece of fudge? All the heart-eyed emojis!
Here’s the thing, you don’t have to try everything. Instead, I pick out the foods I don’t normally buy that excite me. Then I enjoy them. The end.
By following these guidelines, along with some of the classics like exercise (bootcamp 3-4 times a week, drinking water, etc), my weight and pant size stay steady through New Years. I still feel like I’m indulging because I am. This past week I enjoyed homemade pecan and pumpkin pies with whipped cream, Moscow mules, chili with sour cream and Fritos and more.
But now I’m home with a restocked fridge, feeling excited to eat it.
This time of year is crazy enough as it is. Dropping the need for perfection in any aspect has really helped me embrace and enjoy it. Plus, it’s given me time for what I really want to remember from this time of year, like taking another loop around the neighborhood to hear the girls squeal at the Christmas lights <3
How do you stay healthy during this holidays?
Any tips to share?
Lisa @ This Pilgrim Life says
I agree that not bringing in the party food is really helpful, because at certain times of the day, my restraint really plummets! One of the ways I try to keep the holidays less stressful is prioritizing family time at home. We do parties and outings and have playdates, but the times we spend together with a fire going, reading books or just playing together in the light of the tree are what really refreshes me and are what really makes the holidays special.
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood says
I definitely agree that NOT bringing it home is the most important (for me at least) This is my second pregnancy during the holiday season, so temptation and the excuse to throw any and all restraint away is definitely there, so if it’s in my house, it’s getting eaten!
Claire says
Thanks for this! I kinda rolled my eyes at the title, but these are actually really great tips/ideas. The last one is the hardest for me but maybe it will
help me pause next time before I eat something that doesn’t really excite me. I hope so!
Joanna @Makingmine says
I try not to keep many sweets in the house. Baking is a HUGE part of my holidays, and it brings me so much joy! I just make sure to spread around that joy instead of keeping it on my counter to eat at 10pm 😉
Kate says
I totally try to embrace the last point. Not allowing for any indulging is not going to work and will make me frustrated. My dad makes an incredible mousse au chocolat, and that one time of the year that he makes it, of course I’m gonna enjoy it. 🙂
I also try to not bring home any of the party food – if I really want to have it, I have to make it myself. Luckily my son keeps me pretty busy, so that naturally limits the number of sweets and cookies. 😉
Erica says
I agree that it’s best to keep the treats out of the house and save them for the actual celebrations. There’s no need to eat cookies and fudge the whole month of December, save them for the Christmas party day! The only issue at our house is that both my husband and I have December birthdays so we often have cake, lunches and dinners out, and whatnot to contend with as well.
This is unrelated, but the picture of your fridge reminded me. I wanted to THANK YOU so much for the tip of putting fresh herbs into jars of water in the fridge. I was able to make a huge bunch of cilantro last two weeks this way, instead of throwing it away two days after I bought it.
Sara @ Oats & Rows says
These are such awesome tips! I like to tell clients to remind themselves when at holiday parties, etc that when they feel like they could or are overindulging to remind themselves that this isn’t the only time you are EVER going to eat cookies/cake/whatever it may be. It kinda puts things back into perspective, gives them more control, and reduces stress over food choices
Tiffany says
A) You have the most organized refrigerator!
B) I totally was taken in by the peppermint bark pretzels yesterday while buying Pedialyte for my daughter (moment of weakness in my tired/stressed haze!)
C) These are great, REAL tips. I want to enjoy the season, but just not overdo it.
Kathy says
Yes, a lot of us know what to do before going to the party but I really liked your comment about not bringing the party food into your house unless you are the one throwing the party. Something for me to think about. And to keep the meal plans normal. Nice post. I can see you are already having loads of holiday fun with those cuties. 🙂
Liz says
OMG peppermint bark pretzels!!! I gave in and bought a bag at Costco the other day and those things are seriously like crack. I don’t think my willpower has ever been so severely lacking as it was towards those stupid pretzels. They are some seriously delicious treats! I have always lived by these things, but now that I’m pregnant, it’s way harder. I used to just never buy sweets, but they somehow keep making their way into my cart. Maybe I should only shop with my husband so he can take them out right after I put them in. Lately, everybody seems to be bringing in treats to work too, and my willpower is just now there with that either. I think I’ve just been failing this holiday season, but my OB warned me about my near 25lb weight gain for my pregnancy (and I’m only 26 weeks), so I suppose I need to really focus on getting back to my old ways!
Jessie M says
I KNOW that I don’t have to try everything, but it’s always great to be reminded of that. I like to focus on the homemade stuff. And I need to remember that if I take a bite of something & it isn’t “worth it”, that I DO NOT have to finish it. That’s hard to remember sometimes.
My biggest tip is not showing up to parties ravenous. I’m not saying eat a whole meal before you go…but I have a bad habit of eating very little throughout the day in hopes of counteracting the damage I do at the party. Instead, all I do is show up starving & eat EVERYTHING.
Eating a healthy snack or half a sandwich beforehand is a must-do for me.
Heather says
I confess, I really struggle this time of year and have such a hard time not overindulging and inevitably gaining some holiday pounds. This year I’m going to try and be more choosy about my extra treats and not try absolutely everything. I’m staying away from sickly sweet coffee drinks and even in the cold, I’m going to try and get my daily steps in since I have a Fitbit this year to help me keep track of my activity.
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me says
Yes yes yes to all of this. My mantra for the holiday season is: “Be kind to myself.” I’m going to have the desserts, but not overindulge. Restriction or going crazy on the food… neither is treating myself with love. The holidays have enough stress without being too hard on myself.
Love your tips Brittany! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl says
Not bringing the holiday food home is such a good tip. I often find that even when out socializing at holiday parties I don’t eat too much because of my allergies – it’s actually when I start baking more treats to bring to said parties and leaving some of the batch home that I snack far too much!
Hilary says
You are so right the more you stress about the season or just eating at parties the more likely you are to just go crazy!
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona says
I’m totally with you on not bringing it into the house. I’m not tempted in the first place it’s a lot easier not to give in. I also find that keeping as much routine as possible helps too.
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
Go us for resisting the peppermint bark pretzels. Seriously, those are the hardest things to resist in the store for me this time of year. I almost broke down yesterday — UGH! So glad I didn’t.
Tami @ Have My Cake says
I love that you included managing stress on this list! I think that’s a huge one!!! When I’m stressed anywhere I tend to get grabby and eat a lot less healthy! Thanks for these tips 🙂
Christina says
Love your tips, especially the last one about only eating the food that excites you. Too often at parties, I fill up on things like salsa and chips, or crackers and dip, when really I should be focused on the brie cheese 🙂
One of my personal rules is to drink a full glass of water between every glass of wine. I’m also careful to only pour and drink full glasses of wine – I know that sounds totally odd and counterintuitive, but I find it’s easy to lose track of my wine consumption when I let someone “top off my glass” or when I try a “splash” of different wines. That being said – at 18 weeks pregnant there will be no wine for me this Christmas!
Lindsey @ Simply Lindsey says
During the holidays I try to still eat healthy 80% of the time and then treats 20% of the time. I think that knowing that I’m not putting sweets off limits helps! Also, picking and choosing which desserts to indulge in. It’s so easy to taste more than you’d like out of obligation, so I’m working on that!
tanya says
Great tips! I’m am going to try really hard this year to be good. Not too many holiday parties this year but several work dinners out. That is where it get hard for me.
Elizabeth says
Love how you wrote “eliminate stress” hahahahah! This is the first time I’ve been able to check my email all day! The kids demand so much attention especially when you try to do something for yourself. I just tried Instacart this past week & LOVED it! I’ve been sticking to my meal plan (since Saturday) & that’s a big deal for me! If it’s available in your area you should give it a try!