With the holidays only two weeks away, we wanted to share our top tips for juggling the festive season.
Our goal is to help you create a positive relationship with nutrition so you can eat the foods you love without guilt or restriction. If you have health goals, remember it is what you do every day more than what you do some days, you can still be mindful of your health and fitness goals without missing out on all the good stuff.
Don't skip breakfast
Skipping breakfast to “save room” for a big lunch could actually be doing more harm than you think. Making sure that you have a healthy, nutrient rich breakfast will help with any bloating as our bodies digest food best when it’s not starving. It will also help keep you feeling full and energised throughout the day, so that you don't crash and over eat later on. Listen to your body, and keep having regular, balanced meals to keep your appetite under control.
If you need an easy option, Made Monday is a no brainer.
Balance Your Meals
Aim for a balance of proteins, healthy fats, and fibre-rich foods at every meal. This will keep your blood sugars stablise and prevent mid morning or afternoon crashes, plus I will help to keep you feeling full for longer. Think half a plate of veggies, a quarter plate of protein, a quarter plate of carbs and a thumb size amount of healthy fats.
Stay Hydrated
Sometimes thirst can feel like hunger, so staying hydrated may help you avoid overeating or will also aid digestion. Set yourself a limit on alcohol and sugary beverages or alternate them with water.
Practise Mindful Eating
Slowing down and being present allows you to savour each bite and be present with how the food tastes and makes you feel. Mindful eating means slowing down and taking the time to really enjoy your food. It gives you time to feel full and satisfied, and when you do, don’t be afraid to leave food on your plate or say no to the next course.
Stay Active but Don’t Stress About It
It’s normal for the holiday season to throw off your routine and that’s okay! Instead of stressing about getting to the gym every day, focus on being active in ways that fit into your holiday schedule. Try catching up with friends at the beach, go for a walk after meals, or set up some backyard activities to keep your body moving.
Set Realistic Expectations
It’s important to remember that the festive season is about enjoyment and connection. Expecting yourself to stick to your regular fitness and nutrition routine 100% of the time is unrealistic. Be flexible with your expectations and allow yourself to enjoy the holidays fully. It’s about staying consistent rather than perfect.
Enjoy Yourself
We understand you might feel a bit nervous to loosen up your normal routine, but remember that a few joyful occasions of indulgent eating and days off training won’t undo any of the hard work you’ve achieved.
If you find yourself struggling to release the guilt associated with certain foods during the holiday season, try incorporating these affirmations: “I let go of the guilt around this meal because it does not serve me well” or “ I choose to let go of the guilt because I know that my diet is good enough.”
A healthy lifestyle is one of balance, kindness and enjoyment. It is not meant to feel boring, tasteless and hard. It’s all about finding a lifestyle that’s sustainable and that you can stick to all year round.