Hey Friends! How’s it goin?
First off, thanks for all the birthday wishes you guys! I’m still trying to eat my way out of the two batches of birthday brownies I made, so if you’re in the neighbourhood, holla at me for some!
Now that my birthday has passed, I can finally start thinking about all things Christmas and holiday related. As always, I’ll be heading back to Trinidad for the holidays, and I’ve already started thinking about all the food.
This time last year, I was worrying about not having access to a gym during my stay at home, and slipping up with my eating since traditional Christmas food in Trinidad can often be anything but healthy.
But, this year I’m a little more confident in my ability to stay healthy while still enjoying amazing food and having fun with family and friends. I tested it out a few of these on Thanksgiving back in October and they worked so today I want to share some of my tips with you.
7 Ways to Stay Healthy and Active During the Holidays
1. Carry a Healthy Dish
The easiest way to avoid eating too many unhealthy foods when you go to Christmas get-togethers is to just walk with something healthy yourself. That way, you know there’s at least one thing you can eat and enjoy without worrying about what exactly is in it and whether or not it’s good for you.
2. Stick with Water
I know from experience how easy it is to discount what you drink. But those sodas, sugar filled juices and glasses of alcohol can rack up pretty quickly. One of the best ways to stay healthy is to drink mostly water. This is something I do normally and have for a while, so it’s no hardship to keep doing it over the holidays. If you’re not used to it though, try drinking water first every time you get a craving for another drink. Usually it’ll quench your thirst, and the other times you can indulge without going overboard.
3. Follow an exercise routine
This one is specifically for Christmas, when we’re one vacation and our schedules are out of whack. Whether you continue your daily gym routine or switch to at home workouts to suit your busy Christmas prep, it’s important to maintain some kind of routine so you don’t neglect your workouts altogether. Try committing to classes at your gym, daily runs, or following a workout DVD for the duration of the holidays so you stay active in the coming weeks.
4. Workout as a family
When I go home, I want to spend time with my family, and it would be pretty easy to rationalise missing a workout to do so. But a cool compromise would be to workout with your family instead. Get everyone involved with a race or an obstacle course or just a walk after your meal. That way you kill two birds with one stone and spend time with your family while sneaking in a workout.
5. Indulge Sensibly
Christmas and Thanksgiving would not be the same without all the yummy baked goods that can be almost impossible to resist. I already know that I won’t be passing up my favourites when dessert time arrives on Christmas day. But remember to indulge in moderation. You can still satisfy your sweet tooth without jeopardizing all your healthy eating from the rest of the year.
6. Take the focus off the food
I’m sure you’ve noticed that most of these ways to stay healthy during the holidays have to do with food. That’s because, for a lot of us, the holidays are all about the food. We spend months waiting for that first taste of whatever our favourite holiday food is that we go totally crazy when it becomes available. My advice is to try to shift from a food centric mind-set to one that’s more family-fun oriented.
7. Enjoy the Outdoors
Lastly, try to spend some time outdoors. Make a conscious effort to get out of the house and away from the temptations of the food. Try taking walks after every meal or switch things up with a picnic and only pack enough food to satisfy everyone. We tend to pick at the leftovers even when we’re not hungry and it’s easier to forget about the food once it’s not right in front of you.
What about you?
What are some of the ways you plan to stay healthy this holiday season? Ever done a turkey trot? Is there a Christmas equivalent?
Share in the comments below!
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Smartest tips ever!! Exercise is KEY and having the family join is only a BONUS 🙂 Happy Holidays!!
GiGi Eats Celebrities recently posted…Evil Weight Gain Doesn’t Stand a Chance!
Thank you! I’m totally lucky that a lot of my family is active so I know most of them would be up for getting active with me. But even if they weren’t I agree that it’s super important to exercise over the holidays even on your own!
Oh and Happy Holidays to you too 😀
I don’t plan to stay healthy this holiday season. I plan to eat, drink and be merry then deal with it in the New Year. I stay healthy all year round for the most part. There is no way I would be going back home to the Bahamas and be concerned about staying healthy. My last trip back home to Nassau was three years ago and I ate everything in sight. I ate so many conch fritters that I thought I would turn into one. LOL!
Stopping by from SITS. Merry Christmas and safe travels to Trinidad. Eat a roti for me. HA!
HAHA Yvonne, I was totally like that when I went home last year so I get where you’re coming from. But, I know myself and if I go all out over Christmas it’d be almost impossible to start back eating well, so I’ll just indulge in moderation this time 😉
Thanks for stopping by! And Merry Christmas to you too 😀
I like to take a pic of fat me with me in my phone and look at it just before I eat something o.o;
Cupcake recently posted…I gots a JollyVox
Hey There. I’m not gonna lie, I’ve considered doing that. But I think it’s better (at least for me) to find more constructive ways of reminding myself to stay healthy. I feel like going the before picture route would probably just lead me to some unhealthy habits that I’d rather avoid 🙁
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
The holidays are a real test of willpower. I have committed myself to waking up early to run over the holidays. Great to meet another Trini blogger. Thanks for visiting.
trininista recently posted…Book Porn – Coming Clean
These are awesome tips, Giselle! I’m already worried about heading home for my mom’s Guyanese cooking, so I totally hear you! I’ll definitely be trying some of these tips!!
Stacy @ Anastasia Vintage
Stacy @ Anastasia Vintage recently posted…Holiday Gifts for Giving Back
I hope you had a great birthday! These are really great tips, I have only had water today. Which is surprising!
Leslie recently posted…Why Don’t I Own This Already!?
Love your tips especially the one about being active as a family!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious recently posted…Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce
I did a turkey trot last year and I’m going to do one in SF this year. I may try running every day (at least one mile) now through New Years like I did last year, too!
Cassie recently posted…Now Trending – Best Links Week of 11.17
Thanks for these great recommendations.
Kim recently posted…What’s Wrong With Us? – An Open Letter
#1 is something I live by during not just holiday season, but whenever I have to go for a pot luck. Just in case there isn’t anything vegetarian for me. I always make sure to drink lots of water, too. I have to admit I get lazier about the gym during the holidays… too tired out by all the cooking, socializing, and eating! These are great tips, thank you! Going to keep these tips in mind this year 🙂
genevieve @ gratitude & greens recently posted…Friday: I Moustache You Some Questions
Great tips! A turkey trot is on my to-do list but I haven’t done one as of yet. Happy belated b-day!
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment recently posted…11/21: Friday’s Favorite Things
I’m not going home this year for the holidays, so I’m probably going to have one cheat day for Thanksgiving and one for Christmas, and then continue eating healthy and exercising for the rest of the days. 😛
Farrah recently posted…Review: Skinny Me (Giveaway!)
taking the focus off the food is so important. too many times we focus on indulging when we really should focus on the family time and relaxing! happy thanksgiving!
Missy recently posted…The Ultimate List of Black Friday Sales + A Giveaway!
Water is definitely a savior! My favorite of your tips.
I also like to make a conscientious choice before certain meals and events. If you know Aunt Claudie’s blackberry cobbler and Mama’s banana pudding are both on the dessert table, then you don’t eyeball the double triple chocolate fudge molten gooey cake that cousin Eunice brought. You save room for the special ones and stop there.
And this is my life tip for eating, eat the cobbler and the pudding, you don’t know if those old-timers and their desserts will be there next year. Someone else might make their recipe but it won’t be the same, trust me. You can eat chocolate anytime.
April recently posted…5 On The Fifth
Oh and I absolutely adore your blog name!
April recently posted…Family: Mothers-in-Law (and learning to love them)
couldn’t agree more! I love the holidays, but it’s so easy to pack on the weight. This year, I’ve vowed to do 30 minute workouts 3-5 times per week and walk at least an hour a day so I stay moving. I’m also trying to just be healthy, drink water, get my greens and cut down on sweets. 🙂 pinning this!
tianna recently posted…Happy Thanksgiving!
Great tips. The holidays are definitely difficult, but I agree with everything you posted= especially indulging sensibly. I like to try little samples of dishes/treats/etc of the yummy holiday stuff, but it is totally filling and I get to enjoy without feeling so “guilty”. Also getting the whole family involved in exercise is awesome- I like to sign us up for different races so keep everyone motivated 🙂
AJ @ NutriFitMama recently posted…I am a runner and my husband is hot
My motto for a healthy holiday is what I can when I can! Enjoy the season!
jill conyers recently posted…5 Things Friday
These are such important tips! I know when I’m with my family we tend to inactivity versus activity. This Christmas we’re going to center around experiential gifts so one of the experiences will most likely be active!
Angela @ Setting My Intention recently posted…Over 25 Ideas for Experience and Homemade Christmas Gifts
I love this post, working out as a family is so important. My husband and I go to the gym together, not only is it rewarding but its so nice to do something together and support one another! Thanks for sharing xo C
Courtney Bentley recently posted…4 Tips on How to Deal with Social Support during the Holiday Season
Thanks for sharing. Its really informative.