You’ve been working hard at your fitness goals and don’t want to throw it away at the end of the year—but you also don’t want to be a downer at your holiday get-togethers. The good news is, it’s possible to enjoy the holidays without sacrificing your weight-loss goals.
Seasonal slip-ups are common, but they don’t have to set you back. The key factor is to have a simple strategy—and to stick to it. Here are a few tips to help you come up with a solid, holiday-proof plan.
#1 – Let yourself have cheat days, but keep them under control.
The issue with holiday weight gain is that habits typically change not just for a day but for an entire season that consists of the months from Thanksgiving through the New Year.
Keep track of your daily and weekly goals and stick to them as much as you can—whether you’re focusing on calorie intake, nutrition, exercise, or something else. Allow yourself to have “cheat periods” but keep them short. For example, limit them to Christmas Eve and Christmas day, employee or family parties, special evenings out, etc.
#2 – Identify your vulnerable areas and make goals that apply to them specifically.
For example, if you love sweets, you could set a goal to eat sweets with a meal as long as you don’t drink your calories. Instead, you could stick to water or a non-calorie sparkling beverage. Avoiding drinking your calories and eating sweets in the same meal can make a big difference.
If you’re a social eater, plan ahead. Eat a healthy snack and drink lots of water before a social gathering so you’re more full. Also, don’t feel pressured to eat or drink everything that’s offered to you.
#3 – Set diet and exercise goals that are reasonable and achievable.
The holidays can be a stressful time with a lot on your plate. These circumstances can make you more vulnerable to setbacks. Plus, setting goals that are too lofty then not reaching them can increase your chance of giving up on a plan altogether.
The truth is, you’re more likely to stick to your plan if it’s realistic. Understand you may not be able to exercise or keep your calorie intake as low as during regular months, and that’s ok. But you can set small goals for limiting your calorie intake and staying active—even if you’re not going at the same pace as you do during other months of the year.
For example, maintaining your weight or limiting your weight gain to a couple of pounds would be a more realistic goal than losing several pounds over the holidays.
#4 – Find support through accountability partners.
Being accountable for your goals or working toward them with someone else can greatly increase your rate of success. Be accountable to a friend or loved one. Have someone in mind who you can call with concerns or when you may be lacking motivation. Also consider a professional diet and nutrition specialist who can encourage, guide and help you stay on track.
#5 – Give yourself a confidence boost.
Recognize that if you can make it through the holidays, you can stick to your goals through just about anything. Give yourself credit for trying and for reaching the reasonable goals you set. Positive self-talk significantly impacts your ability to reach your goals, limit your stress, and enjoy the holidays while also taking care of your body.
Diet And Nutrition Specialists In Logan, Utah
If you’re looking for a professional partner to help you reach your diet, nutrition, and fitness goals, trust Spring Creek Medical Center. Our health coaches can help you reach optimal health by creating and implementing your own personal diet and nutritional goals, weight loss management plans, and more.
Request your appointment with Spring Creek Medical Center today!
