After every Halloween, it seems like I blink an eye and it is New Year’s Eve. How does this time of year go by so fast (every year)?

The holidays can be both an exciting and stressful time and each year, I pick up little tidbits of guidance that help me both ENJOY + SURVIVE the holiday season.

Here are my TOP 3 Tried and Tested Rules for navigating the holidays.

 

INDULGE (in moderation of course)

 

It sounds simple but we’ve all experienced that inner “Jiminy Cricket” at a party dessert table.

“I shouldn’t…”

“Well, maybe just one.”

“I only eat these once a year, so a few won’t hurt.”

And then it happens…you’ve eaten 6 of the brownie bites and you didn’t even realize it. You have my permission to INDULGE, but in moderation.

We’ve all heard this before, and it’s not rocket science, 1 brownie bit or piece of fudge (can you tell I LOVE chocolate?) isn’t going to hurt you. It’s a way to celebrate, engage, and enjoy. The problem exists when we create a habit of eating this way (i.e. its not the 1 or 2 brownie bites at an occasional party the does us in) Instead, it’s the hot fudge sundae that we have 3 times a week.

So this holiday season, feel free to sample on occasion and indulge in moderation.

Ban “Guilty” PLEASURES

According to researchers in a 2013 study published on the online version of Appetite, worrying over calories or feeling guilty can put you at risk for weight gain. Can you imagine feeling guilty when you eat the goodie + gaining weight!   Talk about a lose/lose!

Why do we sometimes feel guilty when we indulge? According to Roeline Kuijer, PhD of the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, guilt from eating is often associated with feeling a loss of control, the feeling that you can’t do it, and you might as well let it go.   According to the UC study, researchers found no evidence that guilt led to motivation or stronger intentions to eat healthier. Instead, those that felt guilty perceived that they had less control over healthy eating behavior and found it more difficult to eat healthily.

They key here is to consider your indulgence a CELEBRATION + ENJOY it rather than a “guilty” pleasure.

Put a PLAN in PLACE – START EARLY

With the holiday season being so hectic, have you ever considered starting your New Year’s resolution early? This is a lot easier than it sounds and can be one of the best ways to ensure success.

The holiday season requires so much focus and attention on others, but often doesn’t allow us to focus on ourselves. By the time the New Year rolls around, we are exhausted and don’t have the energy to commit to ourselves which is why less than 8%*of people follow through with the intention that they initially set for themselves.

Start now to build up momentum and get in the habit of your resolution during the busiest of times. If your goal is to work with a personal trainer, set this up now. Contact trainers and book your appointments before the January rush. Begin to modify your schedule so you already have this momentum built up come January.

If your resolution is to eat healthier, identify a plan that can help you achieve this goal. Define what you mean by “healthier” so that you can measure your success. Are you on track or do you need to modify your trajectory? What support or guidance do you need to ensure that you meet your goal?

Looking for a place to start? Check out our next Beautiful University program starting December 1^st. (Perfect for beginning that healthy eating resolution early! Sign up on our homepage for additional details and to find out about Early Bird pricing.)

Let us know what strategies you employ to MANAGE + ENJOY the holiday season!

Live your WHOLE life,

Meg + Shannon

 

*According to Statisticbrain.com