This week has been such a whirlwind it is hard for me to believe it is Friday already.

This morning I spent another hour or so at Starbucks getting some work done.

The past two days have been a whirlwind, but we made it! Only one interview stands in between us and a relaxing weekend with family and friends.

I have been so blessed this year to be able to see my family much more than usual.  Due to our travels and trying to get back down close to North Carolina next year, it enables up to pop in and see our family.

In honor of the holiday season coming up and fun times with my family I thought I would focus this Five Things Friday on a few tips to stick to your healthy lifestyle during the holidays.

 

Five Ways to Stay on Track During the Holidays

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I love the holidays and over the years I have picked up a few tricks to staying on track and staying healthy.

 

1. Moderation

First off and most importantly the key to any healthy diet is moderation.  Indugle a little, enjoy the holidays, but just do so in moderation.

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This was me enjoying the holiday family time acting half my age last Christmas.

Treating yourself here and there is not going to kill your diet or make you gain 10 lbs.  Consistency is key like with anything, so go easy on yourself and let yourself enjoy the holiday treats! It only happens once a year, right?

 

2. Don’t Skip Your Workout

While the holidays mean a lot of parties and family time, it doesn’t mean that you should just skip over your workout.

Beach run

There are plenty of easy and simple workouts you can get in without spending an hour or two at the gym.  Try to get something in every day, even if it is quick and simple.

Workout

The holidays are not the time to start slacking on your workouts. I think one of the biggest mistakes people make is saying “I will start fresh in the near year.” Don’t set yourself up for failure – focus on it one day at a time and don’t make it optional. (Don’t take this as – “don’t listen to your body.” If you need a rest day take it, I am just trying to say to focus on making your workout just a part of your day and not a chore and it will make it much easier to stay on track.) 

 

3. Eat Several Smaller Meals instead of Saving it all for a Bigger Meal

I have found that if I eat 4-5 smaller meals throughout the day instead of saving it all for one big meal, I eat less.

You don’t want to go into a huge meal on Thanksgiving or Christmas completely starving.  This will only cause you to eat more and most likely over eat.

Make sure you start the morning with a healthy breakfast and even a snack before your big meal. This will help you to avoid over eating and feeling miserable.

 

4. Slow Down

One of the biggest mistakes we all make at the table is eating too fast. You can ask my husband I am VERY guilty of this.

If you eat fast your body hasn’t had the time to tell yourself when you are full. It often takes 15 minutes for your body to start registering that you have had enough.

Slow down and enjoy the food. This is another way to avoid over eating and it will allow you to enjoy it a bit more.

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Funny random thing – as I type this post I am wearing this same outfit.

Focus on being “in the moment” during the holidays. I think this helps us all enjoy the holidays much more, because of course there is much more to the holidays than food.

 

5. Offer to Prepare a Healthy Dish

If you are not the one preparing the meal for the holiday, offer to bring a healthier dish.

I usually don’t do the preparing so I try to offer to bring something healthier than I know what is in it. It helps me feel like I am contributing and who knows, maybe it will be a big hit at the dinner table!

 

Again, the key to any healthy lifestyle is moderation. Treat yourself but don’t go over board. Make good decisions and don’t throw all of your healthy choices out the window just because its the holidays.

Most importantly, enjoy the time with family and friends!

 

What do you do to stay healthy during the holidays?

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