7 Tips For Staying On Track During The Holidays

Since we are entering the holiday season with Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas in the next few months I wanted to give you some tips for staying on track with your weight loss journey. The holiday season is a time for celebration, family gatherings, and indulging in delicious treats. While it’s a joyous time of year, it can also be challenging for those on a weight loss journey. The abundance of tempting, calorie-rich foods and busy schedules can make it difficult to stay on track. However, with the right strategies and mindset, you can navigate the holiday season while still making progress toward your weight loss goals.

1. Set Realistic Goals

Before diving into the festivities, it’s essential to set realistic goals. Understand that maintaining your current weight during the holidays may be an achievement in itself. Setting smaller, achievable goals will help you stay motivated without feeling overwhelmed.

While its great to want to be perfect and eat healthy 100% of the time, setting aside special events for having a meal that may not be the healthiest is OK. This is a really great mindset that can help you to not only stay motivated since, you are able to enjoy these times with your family and friends but also is beneficial in the sense that it helps you realize you do not need to be perfect to lose weight. 

Allowing yourself a “cheat” meal and getting right back on track with the next one helps to prevent binging and yo yo dieting that so often comes with a perfectionist mindset. Remember one meal will not make you fat just like one meal will not make you skinny. It is the overall combination of time and healthy eating that will make your goals a reality.

2. Prioritize Mindful Eating

Mindful eating is the practice of being fully present while you eat. Instead of mindlessly consuming calories, savor each bite. Pay attention to hunger and fullness cues, and stop eating when you’re satisfied, not stuffed.

This approach can help prevent overindulgence and is great with all of the holiday pot lucks and treats. I like to bring something healthy that is filling and low in fat when I go to gatherings so I take a large portion of that and then have little bites of other things that I want to try which helps me feel full but also like I’m not missing out.

3. Remember Calorie Density

Calorie density is always going to be a game changer in situations where there are a lot of different food options. Like the above post, bringing something healthy that is low in calorie density to gatherings helps a lot since you can fill your plate with mostly that food and try other dishes as well. Any vegetable dishes are going to be lowest in calorie density if they are made by other people, fruit bowls are also great and can help with eating less calorie laden desserts. I also like to bring potatoes with me because it is so easy to whip up some steamed or mashed potatoes to eat along with other meals at a gathering and as a bonus they are just incredibly filling and keep me from eating too much of the more calorie dense meals. 

4. Stay Active & Manage Stress

Don’t let holiday busyness be an excuse to skip your workouts. Schedule your exercise sessions like you would any other appointment. Whether it’s a brisk walk, a home workout, or a gym session, regular physical activity will help you burn off those extra holiday calories and relieve stress. Stress can lead to emotional eating and weight gain. Incorporate stress management techniques into your routine, such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga. 

Taking time for self-care is crucial during this season.

I like to go on long walks with family members I haven’t seen in a while to catch up. Its a great way to connect, be in nature and get some one on one time (away from all the food) with the people I love. 

5. Choose Smart Indulgences

It’s okay to enjoy holiday treats in moderation. When faced with a buffet of options, pick your absolute favorites, savor them, and then move on. Use the tricks above by loading 1/2 your plate with healthy food to feel more satisfied. 

When it comes to alcohol it can be a tricky time for that as well but being mindful can help you stay on track. If you want to have a glass of wine or beer do so with mindfulness and set yourself a limit. 

I know in my family that people like to socialize and sip on a few drinks all day and into the night and though this may not be bad because the drinks are so spread out, the calories add up a lot and can also cause you to overeat. Alcohol in itself isn’t horrible but it causes us to lower our inhibitions and dehydrates us which often makes us feel hungrier and more inclined to dive into the dessert tray.

6. Stay Hydrated

Sometimes thirst is mistaken for hunger especially in the above point when alcohol is being consumed. Make sure to stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the day and always have a big glass after any alcoholic drink. Carry a reusable water bottle with you to remind yourself to sip regularly.

7. Seek Support

Don’t go it alone during the holidays. Share your goals with friends and family who can provide support and encouragement. Consider finding an accountability partner or joining a weight loss group for added motivation. In my Guided Meal Plan Video course we are all in there sharing our struggles and successes this holiday season. It is so great to lean on others who eat the same way.

Though there are a lot of weight loss victories in the community, people also share how they are breaking bad habits and overcoming hurdles that would have set them off track. It’s a great reminder to be a part of a community where we are all learning and sharing as we go along in our journey.

Check it out here for 50% off this holiday season – https://www.guidedmealplan.com/

Remember, slow and steady wins the race and navigating your weight loss journey during the holidays may seem challenging, but it’s entirely achievable with the right mindset and strategies. The holidays are a time to enjoy with loved ones, and you don’t have to sacrifice all the festive foods.

By setting realistic goals, practicing mindful eating, and staying active, you can maintain your progress while still savoring the joys of the season. Stay committed, stay mindful, and have a happy and healthy holiday season!