Okay, with the Holidaze quickly approaching, we all struggle with one overshadowing issue…how to avoid having one cheat meal turn into a whole week of over indulging. Whether you’re a dedicated athlete or a woman who takes her fitness goals seriously, this time of year is inevitably a time where we all fall off the wagon. The real challenge is finding balance in the mountain style buffet of deeelisciousness that is available. Here are our top 8 tips on how to avoid the “Food-lude” of the Holidaze:
- Don’t go to a Holiday party hungry- have a healthy meal before you go or if you are in a pinch, mix yourself a protein shake.This will help stave off hunger pangs especially if a proper meal isn’t being served until later on in the evening.
- Avoid the “Moo-Moo Graze”- food is usually set out on a large table for easy access so the urge to graze all day long is often unavoidable! Grab your plate and load up on the healthy stuff and a couple of treats, but make one trip down the buffet lane and then call it quits
- Bring one of your own healthy dishes to share with the masses.
- Slurp up some soup before eating that Christmas ham. If there is a nice veggie soup it will help fill you up.
- Be sure to stay hydrated. All that yapping with friends and family can certainly make you thirsty- be sure to drink some water. Often we will grab food rather than getting something to drink.
- Don’t’ forget to eat your veggies…enough said.
- Limit the amount of alcohol you drink, often your host will make some cheery Holiday themed drinks which are lovely, but are also loaded with unnecessary sugar and calories. With all the food you’re shoveling down your gullet your digestion will come to a grinding halt if you pour a bunch of alcohol on top of everything. Your liver and kidney will be working overtime to break down the alcohol- therefore breaking down food and fat takes a back seat…most notably pronounced in your own Christmas Ham.
- Stay in the Spirit- if you’re super human and are sticking to your macros… don’t talk about it. Just eat your salad and be sad!!! And for the love of everything rack related, don’t start doing impromptu squats while carrying out the Christmas roast to the dinner table!