Food is too often feared as the enemy. It is associated with guilt and feelings of becoming "fat" especially during the holiday season. I am going to tell you a secret:
you CAN eat the foods you love and enjoy so much and NOT gain weight!
How? By ditching the guilt associated with those foods, enjoying in moderation (or if you're like me, maybe not so much), and getting in some movement!
Being healthy does not mean only eating healthy foods but rather eating a VARIETY of foods that nourish your body and soul.Sometimes that means kale and quinoa or chocolate cake and corn muffins.
Being healthy is about balance
For years, I would become anxious over the End of November to February stretch. For me personally, there were A LOT of special occasions in this time frame and it seemed as if the reasons to go out to eat or have baked goods were never ending! Instead of being excited, I felt that I couldn't fully enjoy myself, in fear of gaining weight, or I could only indulge if I planned on working out before or after the "splurge." I cringe at how unhealthy of a mindset that was, and how limiting it was BUT I know I far too many people who feel the exact same way, when in reality, no one should feel that way!
I AM HERE TO TELL YOU TO DITCH THE FOOD AND EXERCISE GUILT & ENJOY YOURSELF
Life is too short to be limited, or missing out on making memories because you're at the gym
you CAN eat the foods you love and enjoy so much and NOT gain weight!
How? By ditching the guilt associated with those foods, enjoying in moderation (or if you're like me, maybe not so much), and getting in some movement!
Being healthy does not mean only eating healthy foods but rather eating a VARIETY of foods that nourish your body and soul.Sometimes that means kale and quinoa or chocolate cake and corn muffins.
Being healthy is about balance
For years, I would become anxious over the End of November to February stretch. For me personally, there were A LOT of special occasions in this time frame and it seemed as if the reasons to go out to eat or have baked goods were never ending! Instead of being excited, I felt that I couldn't fully enjoy myself, in fear of gaining weight, or I could only indulge if I planned on working out before or after the "splurge." I cringe at how unhealthy of a mindset that was, and how limiting it was BUT I know I far too many people who feel the exact same way, when in reality, no one should feel that way!
I AM HERE TO TELL YOU TO DITCH THE FOOD AND EXERCISE GUILT & ENJOY YOURSELF
Life is too short to be limited, or missing out on making memories because you're at the gym
In the past two weeks, I've probably had enough cupcakes and corn muffins to open up my own bakery. And not spaced out either, I had four cupcakes in a span of 12 hours, with half a can of frosting, after eating an entire pasta dish at an Italian restaurant. Why? Because it was my 24th birthday and I felt like it! I made an entire batch of corn muffins for myself, and I've already munched half way through them. I never have baked goods, so when I do, I go all out. My eating choices do not need to be justified by a work out or "if it fits my macros" but rather if I want something I WILL have it.
I have only worked out once in the last two weeks.
I have not gained ANY weight or felt ANY guilt but I have enjoyed myself on multiple occasions as you can see.
I have only worked out once in the last two weeks.
I have not gained ANY weight or felt ANY guilt but I have enjoyed myself on multiple occasions as you can see.
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How To Have a Happy & Healthy Holiday Season
1. Ditch the guilt, whole heartedly
The holiday season only comes once a year, so don't beat yourself up over having seconds of your favorite seasonal dish. If it's something you only get to have once a year, then so what that you had seconds! Eating foods that are more carb loaded/fattier than you normally eat every once in a while is NOT going to make you become the Michelin Man overnight!
2. Enjoy in Moderation (or maybe not!)
If a certain dish or dessert is something you only get to have once every year or not very often, save room in your stomach for that item! Don't overload on "everyday items" like rolls or appetizers that aren't so special to your tastebuds. I personally don't really do moderation,I RARELY get baked goods, so when I do, I eat MULTIPLE of them! And for me, this works, since I normally don't eat like that!
3. Protein, Greens, & Movement
I'm ALL about treating yourself, BUT don't forget to get in your lean proteins and greens! This way, your body is filled with food good for you and your soul! Too much sugar/fats/carbs can leave you feeling sick if you don't normally eat like that, which is why it's important to still eat your protein and veggies! AND getting in some movement will help prevent the food from just "sitting" there. Go for a walk after dinner, park your car further away while shopping, I'm not even suggesting to go to the gym, but just suggesting you make it a point to move it a bit, after munching a lot :)
4. Savor the Flavor
Slowly eat your favorite food, really taste all the flavors and textures as opposed to wolfing it down. You waited a whole year to eat it, you might as well ACTUALLY enjoy it!
5. As always, Do What Works Best for YOU!
I think THIS is the most important one. We are ALL different, our bodies and what works for our systems will vary. Yes, I eat "healthy" most of the time, but that is because that is what works best for MY body and digestive disorders, and keeps me on minimal medications. BUT I also ALWAYS say yes to dessert, seconds, or special foods if I want them! THIS is what works best for me and allows me to have a sustainable, healthy life style. I eat an entire plate of vegetables every night, but if I want half a can of frosting with my breakfast, that's okay too.
There's a double layer chocolate cake cooling on my counter while I type this, and my mom has the next five home cooked meals planned out for me before I leave. You bet I'll be eating a slice of that cake every day, until I leave, and having seconds at every dinner.
And if I DO happen to gain some weight, OH WELL, I'll embrace it, and know that the weight was not gained in shame or poor choices, but rather pure enjoyment, shared through the comfort of home cooked meals, and an over abundance of chocolate. A few pounds won't kill me, and it won't kill you either. It's all about my perspective, and my perspective is this:
Life is too short to be lived with limitations and restrictions and if that means I won't ever have a six pack, I am okay with that, cause I'd much rather eat cake anyway.
1. Ditch the guilt, whole heartedly
The holiday season only comes once a year, so don't beat yourself up over having seconds of your favorite seasonal dish. If it's something you only get to have once a year, then so what that you had seconds! Eating foods that are more carb loaded/fattier than you normally eat every once in a while is NOT going to make you become the Michelin Man overnight!
2. Enjoy in Moderation (or maybe not!)
If a certain dish or dessert is something you only get to have once every year or not very often, save room in your stomach for that item! Don't overload on "everyday items" like rolls or appetizers that aren't so special to your tastebuds. I personally don't really do moderation,I RARELY get baked goods, so when I do, I eat MULTIPLE of them! And for me, this works, since I normally don't eat like that!
3. Protein, Greens, & Movement
I'm ALL about treating yourself, BUT don't forget to get in your lean proteins and greens! This way, your body is filled with food good for you and your soul! Too much sugar/fats/carbs can leave you feeling sick if you don't normally eat like that, which is why it's important to still eat your protein and veggies! AND getting in some movement will help prevent the food from just "sitting" there. Go for a walk after dinner, park your car further away while shopping, I'm not even suggesting to go to the gym, but just suggesting you make it a point to move it a bit, after munching a lot :)
4. Savor the Flavor
Slowly eat your favorite food, really taste all the flavors and textures as opposed to wolfing it down. You waited a whole year to eat it, you might as well ACTUALLY enjoy it!
5. As always, Do What Works Best for YOU!
I think THIS is the most important one. We are ALL different, our bodies and what works for our systems will vary. Yes, I eat "healthy" most of the time, but that is because that is what works best for MY body and digestive disorders, and keeps me on minimal medications. BUT I also ALWAYS say yes to dessert, seconds, or special foods if I want them! THIS is what works best for me and allows me to have a sustainable, healthy life style. I eat an entire plate of vegetables every night, but if I want half a can of frosting with my breakfast, that's okay too.
There's a double layer chocolate cake cooling on my counter while I type this, and my mom has the next five home cooked meals planned out for me before I leave. You bet I'll be eating a slice of that cake every day, until I leave, and having seconds at every dinner.
And if I DO happen to gain some weight, OH WELL, I'll embrace it, and know that the weight was not gained in shame or poor choices, but rather pure enjoyment, shared through the comfort of home cooked meals, and an over abundance of chocolate. A few pounds won't kill me, and it won't kill you either. It's all about my perspective, and my perspective is this:
Life is too short to be lived with limitations and restrictions and if that means I won't ever have a six pack, I am okay with that, cause I'd much rather eat cake anyway.
- Are you sick of hearing about "holiday weight gain" too?
- What's YOUR favorite holiday dish/dessert?
