5 Tips to Stay On Track During The Holiday Season

As the holiday season approaches, it can bring immense amounts of stress and time constraints as you try to get ready for all of those plans that seem to just sneak up!

As your schedule gets busier and your stress levels continue to rise, you may start to shun your own personal priorities, putting them to the side. As time goes on, they seem to become more and more distant and, when everything finally starts to slow down and you do have more time to dedicate to yourself, you feel like those goals are just too far gone.

So you give up on your goals, you think all of your hard work was a waste and that those things that you've been striving for are just not meant to be.

BUT, what if you could find a way to navigate through the holiday season without completely giving up on your own personal goals? And even achieve small wins along the way too.

Try out these 5 simple tips to help you stay on track and survive the holiday season, you may even come out of it better than you went in!

1. Fill half your plate with veggies

Where ever you can, whenever you can! Aim to load up your plate with a range of non-starchy veggies. Keeping this 1/2 plate method in mind will help you stay nourished, support your bodies essential functioning AND support your brain too! Did you know that the food you eat can impact your mood? Long-story-short, focus on filling 1/2 your plate with veg to continue living a thriving, healthy life. :)

2. Get in some daily movement!

It doesn't have to be long, it doesn't have to be hard. Just set aside even 10 minutes if that's all you have to go for a brisk walk, or do some bodyweight exercises at home (squats, push-ups, lunges etc).

Soon enough you will find yourself in a daily habit of this! You can even break up your movement into smaller bouts throughout the day, e.g 3 x 10-minute bouts.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure it's something you enjoy!

3. Serve up your food on a plate rather than grazing

With lots of events on come lots of... grazing! While this can be such a huge social aspect, it can also be one sure way to overeat or just mindlessly eat. Instead, grab your plate and fill it up with all the goodies you'd like to enjoy, that way you can visualise what's actually in front of you and what you're actually consuming. If you're still hungry once you've finished, of course, help yourself to more. Just pay attention and be mindful.

4. Eat slowly

Take your time to sit down and eat your food slowly, chew every bite properly and give yourself an opportunity to actually enjoy what you're eating! Did you know that eating slowly can actually help you to feel hunger cues sooner? This handy little tip can help ensure you don't overeat, therefore, supporting a healthy weight or your weight loss goals!

5. Be kind to yourself

The holidays are meant to be enjoyed!

If you're restricting or depriving yourself to the point that it's impacting you mental and emotional health, try taking a step back and re-evaluating whether this is something that you can sustain long-term or that you'd want to do it long-term. If not, it's probably with reconsidering.

Remember that your overall health not only includes your physical health, but your mental health too.

If you need help navigating how you can still achieve your goals while enjoying yourself and your food, don't hesitate to reach out to me!