10 Tips for Staying Healthy during the Holidays!

The holidays can be a time when it is difficult to stick to a healthy lifestyle, but it doesn't have to be. Why do we always wait until January 1 to make a change to "be healthy" or "get back on track"? Think about how you want to FEEL coming out of December and out of the end of the year.

Here are 10 tips to staying healthy during the holidays:

Limit sugar intake: sugar is everywhere during the holidays! Sugar causes inflammation and is not good for our immune system. Try to limit putting your hand in the Christmas cookie jar or the box of chocolates. If you get treats as a gift, they taste just as good in January as they do in December so consider saving some for next month.

Careful about alcohol consumption: alcohol intake can certainly increase over the holiday. There are lunches, dinners, gatherings and parties most of which involve a festive beverage (or two)! Limiting alcohol not only supports your weight loss efforts, but avoiding it helps you to stay healthy with your sleep.

Sleep: this is critical at any time of year, but certainly during the holidays to make sure you are getting enough sleep. Have you ever gotten to the holiday and THEN gotten sick? Adequate sleep throughout the month of December will help to support your health overall and may help that end of December crash.

Drink enough water: much of the time we are not hungry, we are thirsty. Proper hydration is so important and if you having an alcoholic beverage, have a glass of water 1:1. If you are at a function, when that wine glass is empty, try having an empty glass of water, too.

Manage stress: the holidays can be stressful and you may feel like you are being pulled in many different directions. Proper stress management can help you to feel balanced during the holiday. Try some meditation, yoga or walking. Perhaps consider setting boundaries if there are things that may cause you stress during the holiday season. You don't have to be, do, stay everywhere all the time.

Move!: exercise can be a form of stress management, but will help your immune system and support everything from brain health to metabolism to mental health. Try to move at least 30 minutes a day. Even better, join me for 3o minutes of movement every day in December! Are you in!?

Eat from a smaller plate: this may help you to eat less.

Prioritize protein: if you focus on protein, you will feel full longer and be less likely to overeat. Aim to have protein with every meal and every snack.

Take time for self-care: do you have massage benefits that are going to run out at the end of the year? Need time to take a nap or read a book? Taking time for self-care through December not only can help with stress management, but may help to stay on track with your healthy intentions, again, focusing on how you want to feel. Try inviting a friend to go for a pedicure and a walk instead of lunch or dinner. You still maintain that connection but the focus is not on eating.

And, finally....

Don't wear stretchy pants: that's right! Put down those lululemon pants unless you are doing a workout! If you are motivated by being able to fit into your pants at the end of December, give this tip a try!

I talked about all ten of these tips in a recent Facebook live video. You can check it out here!

Let me know if you are going to try all, or some of these tips!