Is it even possible to have a
healthy holiday season?

First off, I’m not a doctor or a nutritionist or a health coach.  These tips are just little tidbits that are helping me get through this time of the year, and I hope they help you, too! 

Well, I don’t know about you, but my holidays have always centered around food… delicious, sweet, mouthwatering treats that were divine in every sense of the word!

But, now that I’m older, I have finally realized that if I go off the deep end, it’s virtually impossible for me to reign it back in.

It literally takes months… or years, and now that I’m getting really healthy and doing yoga almost every day, I just don’t want to go back to the way things were before.

And if you’re miserable right now and you’re telling yourself you’ll start that “diet” after the holidays… get real.  I know how it goes, and you can’t fool me.

The best time to start taking care of yourself is RIGHT NOW.

No whining, no complaining, NO EXCUSES.

So when everybody else is shoveling food and carbs and sugar down their gullets, you will have the peace of mind knowing that you are on the right track.

Consider it the best Christmas present you could ever give yourself…You are going to have a healthy holiday season this year!

For me, eating well is a necessity.  I have food allergies and sugar sends me into depression.  I have no more excuses. No more lies I can tell myself.

That’s why I won’t be gaining 10lbs during this Holiday season, I’ll be losing it.

Won’t you join me?

1. Decide that you want to be healthy.

The very first thing you need to do is to DECIDE that you want to be healthy during the holiday season. Yes. Make a decision and commit to it.

Then tell someone. Even if it’s just me down there in the comments!  If you don’t, you’ll talk yourself out of it at every turn.

2. Keep lots of healthy snacks in the house.

Make sure to keep loads of fruits and veggies and other healthy snacks in your abode. I always have lots of fruits and veggies so I can juice them at a moments notice if I get a craving for something sweet.  It curbs my cravings and is a great pick me up!

If I bake, I do so with Stevia in the Raw and healthy flours such as Flax and Almond flour.

3. Be honest with your friends and family.

If you have loved ones that like to shower you with baked goods, let them know ahead of time that you’re going healthy this year.  Just be honest.  If they truly care about you, they will respect you and help you along on your journey.

If they insist on brining over those cookies anyway, just be nice, smile and then gift them to a neighbor or work friends.

4. Carry healthy treats with your wherever you go.

When you go out shopping, take some healthy snacks and water with you so you don’t get hungry and run to the nearest Cookie Kiosk in the food court!

I keep extra water in the car because staying hydrated keeps me satisfied.  Add some peppermint extract for a holiday treat!

5. Eat before you go party.

Yes. The holidays are party-time.  Knowing that, just eat before you go. That way, when you get there, you won’t be actually hungry and want to scarf down all that sugary mess.

6. Limit your alcohol intake.

If alchohol doesnt bother you, and you’d like to partake, choose a healthy glass of red wine.  If you have 2 glasses, drink water in between to keep from getting dehydrated from the alcohol.

7. Avoid the buffet.

If it’s too tempting, just avoid the area where the food hangs out.  There is always somewhere that you can socialize away from the cookies.

8. Have an escape plan.

If you mind starts to crumble and you want to give in, quietly excuse yourself and find the restroom.

Look in the mirror and give yourself a little pep talk.  Just remind yourself what you’re doing and why it’s a great thing to keep it healthy!

Your mind is the most powerful tool you have… use it for good!

9. Offer to bring something.

When you are invited, ask your host what you can bring.  That way, you’ll know there will be something you can eat.  This can be a big lifesaver for staying healthy.

10. If you cave, just let the guilt go.

If you cave and pig out on junk, don’t spend the entire night and next week feeling guilty and beating yourself up.

Just drop it and let it go.  Get back on the healthy train right away and you’ll be fine!

Staying healthy is all about the small decisions we make everyday and they add up over time.

I hope these 10 Simple Tips to have a healthy holiday season will help you stay on track this year!

Do you have any other simple tips to add?  Drop them down in the comments below!