Written by 1. Don’t get discouraged
A few days of out of control eating won’t destroy your health goals. As you get back into your routine you’ll most likely find your eating habits returning to normal on their own.
2. Schedule an exercise session with a friend
Scheduling ahead and making a commitment to a friend will increase the likelihood of following through. Just a half hour of brisk walking every day will prevent a holiday exercise slump.
3. Resist depriving yourself
Don’t over restrict yourself. Making resolutions to cut out every gram of sugar or fat just isn’t realistic. Instead focus on what you are going to eat, rather than what you are going to avoid. Don’t skip meals, it will just cause more hunger later.
4. Quit feeling guilty.
Sure you may have gone crazy with the calories or stopped exercising for a few days, but what’s done is done. Do you want to dwell on it, or move on? Acknowledge that you overindulged, that you feel awful, and then move forward making better choices. Focusing on the negative wastes energy and can keep you unmotivated.
5. Don’t continue to overindulge
You may think your plans went awry, you ate too much and didn’t exercise enough, so you may as well not worry about it until after Christmas, or the new year. Wrong! Many people feel they can continue these habits for a full six weeks, but you need to get back in control now. Focus and move forward.
6. Ignore the scale.
Just for a few days. Of course the day after Thanksgiving you are going to see a number on the scale that you don’t like. Why put yourself through that, do you need evidence that you ate too much? No! Stay away from the scale for a week or so and you will probably be back to your healthy weight.
7. Stock up on smart snacks.
Go to the grocery store and get some fruit, nuts, whole grain crackers, hummus and peanut butter.
8. Get rid of the goodies!
You might even have some leftover Halloween candy laying around, and now it is post Thanksgiving, who knows what empty calories are stuck in your refrigerator? Give it away, throw it away, whatever it takes to avoid having it in your house.
9. Get back on track with your routine
With the holidays, and being away from work, and having crazy schedules, you strayed from your routine. That is to be expected during holiday times! But now it is time to get back to your routine. Create a meal plan, make a grocery store trip, and do a little preparing of food. Get back to your meal structure – regular meals and snacks, no all day nibbling. Eat mindfully and carefully.
10. Increase Your Fiber Intake
Your stomach might have gotten used to being full for a few days, and once you cut back on your food intake it might express some hunger. So fill it with fiber – oatmeal, vegetables and fruits will keep your stomach feeling full and happy. Shoot for five fruits and vegetables each day.
11. Get Motivated!
Hang up a calendar and cross off each day that you exercise. Team up with a friend to go for a run or walk, or meet at the gym, a few days a week. Put lots of colorful fruits and vegetables in your refrigerator. Visual motivation will keep you on track.
You can also sign up for my newsletter over there in the left sidebar.
