I know this can be a hectic time of year for many of us, and that brings me to the topic that I want to talk about today, which is how to survive the holidays without gaining weight and staying healthy.

Now, that can be a hard one for most of us because we are so busy. There are parties, shopping, decorating, and family coming in, and in the midst of it a lot of times, we can go overboard with the sweet treats and the indulgences, and we can neglect our own self-care and health. So I want to give you some tips so you can still stay on track but not feel like you are depriving yourself because I don’t want the holidays to derail you completely. 

The method that I teach is called,

Adding In to Crowd Out. 

So often, when we think of getting healthy, we think it’s all about cutting back, reducing, and depriving, and we end up miserable and not sticking with it. So I like to flip the mindset with that and focus on all the goodness that we need to add to our life instead of what we need to be stripping away. Because when you add in these good foods and activities, you’re going to naturally crowd out some of the things that don’t serve you.

Number One – Drink Water

Drink plenty of water. So many of us are dehydrated all of the time, which can get a lot worse during the winter and these dry months when the heat is on. One of the things is that sometimes what we interpret as hunger is actually thirst. So if you are feeling a craving and are hungry, but you recently ate, try grabbing a big glass of water. Drink that, wait about 15 minutes, and then see if your hunger subsides. 

Also, another great tip is when you go to holiday parties or dinners, have one glass of water between alcoholic beverages. You’re going to end up drinking less!

Number Two – Move Your Body

You read that right; move your body! Don’t let the cold weather be an excuse to be a couch potato. Instead, you can add in daily movements such as: having a snowball fight, shoveling the driveway, going for a walk, and taking your family for a hike.

Enjoy a light stroll after a meal. Even if it’s chilly out, bundle up! The fresh air is refreshing, and you’re going to feel so much better. 

Number Three – Protein

Make sure you’re getting plenty of protein. A lot of us reach for carbohydrates, especially at parties. We just want to fill our plates with all the bread and goodies, and we’re not getting any protein in our diet. Protein helps fill you up because it takes longer to digest, making you feel fuller. Adding that in crowds out your desire for desserts. Another easy, simple way that you can add something in to crowd out something less healthy!

Number Four – Fruits & Veggies

Last but not least is adding in fruits and veggies. It sounds so simple, but it’s one of the things that so many of us neglect. The thing about fruits and veggies is they are full of fiber, and just like protein, fiber is slower to digest, so it helps you feel full. So if you’re going to a party and bringing a dish, make sure you bring the veggie tray! That way, you know there will be one, and you can make sure that you put plenty of that on your plate. 

An extra bonus about eating lots and fruits and veggies is you’re getting all the vitamins and nutrients you need, so your energy level is going to be better, and your immune system is going to be stronger. So you can avoid catching those winter bugs!

If you end up overdoing it, do not worry. Instead, move on and forgive yourself because beating yourself up doesn’t do you any good.

What actually works are small steps, moderation, and consistency.