The holidays are officially here. For many people that means holiday parties, work functions, social gatherings, food, food and more food. The holidays can be a stressful time when it comes to our health, but they can also be a wonderful time if you follow some of my healthy habits.
[1] Don’t let the holidays completely change your life.
This means eating habits, workout routine, work life and home life. Just because it’s Christmas time doesn’t mean that you have to be a completely different person. Yes, there is usually more junk food and potlucks around, but that doesn’t mean that you have to partake in everything if you don’t want to. Stick to your workout routine if you have one. Do what makes you feel good even if it means leaving a party early or not going at all. You don’t have to follow all the rules and be at every social function. Just do you. I promise. Sometimes being a little selfish is the best thing that you can do for yourself. And if it makes you a happier person, then please listen to your body and choose what’s best for you.
[2] For goodness sake, indulge if you want to.
Do you love the holidays because you love all the delicious food, desserts and parties? If so, wonderful! Enjoy yourself. Eat the food. Indulge. Stay out late. If these things make you happy, then by all means, please partake. Just be careful not to let your actions spin out of control and make you feel guilty or resent doing or eating something.
Sometimes it just feels dang good to indulge in foods you wouldn’t normally eat, simply because it’s the holidays. And that’s a-ok if that’s what you’re into.
I remember being in my mid-20s (when I really struggled with disordered eating) and thinking about how I shouldn’t eat anything during the day so I could indulge and splurge in the evening or at a party. This got me no where. It made me spiral out of control and feel so guilty. Now, since finding peace and balance with my health, I realize that food is not the enemy. Food is just food. Calorie counting is worthless. And thinking too much about food can be extremely harmful to your health. So, if you feel like you’re in a good place with food, please indulge if you want to. Enjoy the foods you don’t normally eat just because it’s the holidays.
I know I can’t wait to indulge in some treats at the German Christmas markets we’ll be visiting this year.
[3] Keep in mind what the holidays are really about.
To some, the holidays are all about the great food, social situations, parties, etc. But to others, the holidays are about quite evenings at home with family and nothing too out of the ordinary. Whatever the holidays mean to you, just let them be a time of happiness and peace (if you can). Try not to stress out too much. I know that’s easier said than done, but seriously, why do we put so much pressure on ourselves around the holidays? It can be maddening trying to host the “perfect” party with the “perfect” appetizers and “perfect” decorations. How about, instead of trying to impress others, just think about how grateful you are to have the friends and family in your life that you do.
For me, the holidays (especially Christmas) are all about family time. As crazy as it gets when our whole extended family is together, I try and see the greatness in the chaos. I think about how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family even if we don’t always get along or see eye to eye. I think about how grateful I am that my daughter can laugh and play with her cousins.
For the past two years living in the Netherlands, Christmas has been a little different. Instead of getting together with my big family, Christmas is spent with just myself, my husband and three-year-old daughter, and I kind of love it. I love that we can be together and so happy even when we don’t have a bunch of family around. I love experiencing the amazing and festive European Christmas markets. I love that Christmas morning is quiet. I love that it’s just us.
Find what makes you happy around the holidays and do that.
[4] Don’t wait until the new year to set your resolutions. Or better yet, don’t set any resolutions at all.
Sometimes setting resolutions can be more harmful than helpful, especially when they involve your health in someway or another (losing weight, eating less, going to the gym more, etc.)
I remember the days when I would set these New Years resolutions that I swear would make me change my unhealthy habits. My resolutions were always about losing weight, going to the gym more often or eating healthier. And let me tell you, every resolution I made failed. We put so much pressure on ourselves around the new year that it makes it almost impossible to stick to any sort of resolution.
Instead of making New Years resolutions, I simply go on with my life like any other day. I wake up each day with a sense of stability and balance in my life. I know that I can eat what I want, when I want and still feel great, most of the time. I know which foods make me feel crummy, and if I eat them, I know it’s not the end of the world. I know that working out makes me feel great, but I also know that if I miss a workout, that I’m going to be just fine. I never weigh myself because my weight does not matter at all to me. I’ve let go of constantly putting so much pressure on myself to be something that I’m not. I work hard, I eat healthy most of the time, I indulge when I want to, I drink alcohol (when I’m not pregnant), I workout most days, and I feel great, most of the time. I’ve stopped putting so much pressure on myself, and believe me when I tell you that it’s completely changed my life. And it can change yours, too.
[5] “Health-ify” a favorite not-so-healthy holiday recipe.
If you’re into it, try and put a healthy twist on a not-so-healthy holiday recipe. For me, I like to swap whole wheat flour and coconut sugar for refined white flour and white sugar in recipes. I also love using unrefined coconut oil instead of vegetable oils when baking. These little changes can add up to make a big difference when it comes to your health — and they don’t really change the flavor or texture of your food.
Also, if you’re supposed to bring some sort of dish to a party, bring something that you feel comfortable eating and maybe something that’s a little healthier. Make homemade hummus and/or guacamole instead of store-bought so you can control the ingredients. A lot of times, making homemade anything is a better option than store-bought.
Here are some of my favorite recipes from the blog that make for a great addition to a holiday party.
oatmeal chocolate chunk cookie dough bites
cheesy cauliflower tomato basil bake (works great as a dip for crackers or chips!)
Happy Holidays!
xoxo,
Angela
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