The average American gains 5-10 pounds in the next 54 days – is that what you want? What will you weigh January 1st? Seems like a long way away, but it will be here before you know it. I truly wish everyone the best this holiday season, but I encourage everyone to take a moment before the next 54 days fly by and have a plan for your health and wellness.
We all have the easiest excuse to let nutrition and exercise not be a priority for next 54 days. When the holidays start life gets busy, family and travel can add stress, routine is off and there is so much delicious food. So much food! How can you enjoy the holidays yet keep nutrition and exercise and YOU a priority? Can you make that happen?
In order to to set yourself up for success you have to HAVE A PLAN. If you think you are going to use willpower to avoid that slice of pie or an extra drink it is not going to happen. Tough love I know but lets be honest – no matter how disciplined you think you are there are just too many temptations this time of year.
Get organized, set the tone and feel fantastic come 2013. This is your moment – right now – make it happen!
Let your family and friends know that things may be a little different this year. If you typically sit on the couch all Thanksgiving and watch football or Black Friday is spent shopping all day long, let your family know you will be sneaking out for a quick workout in the morning. Even if it is just a 20 minute walk outside – just do something! You dont have to make a big fuss but don’t get sucked into bad habits. Remember, habits were made to be broken. Set a new holiday tradition of a morning walk/workout – the day will go so much better.
Eat before you go out. If you are headed to a holiday party – eat a mini meal with some protein and carbohydrate before you go. Do NOT walk into a party hungry or things will go badly….fast! You will overeat, over-drink and feel guilty about what you did. Again, set a new tone. Have a bite before you go, enjoy a little of the holiday fare and then leave feeling like a rockstar.
Decide how much you are going to drink. I have yet to tell someone to stop drinking, but I tell most to drink less. Figure it out. Either set a limit on drinks per night or choose how many nights you will allow yourself to drink. Also decide what drink you can sip on. Maybe have one martini instead of 3 beers – less calories and still a good buzz. And just avoid the fruity, sugar stuff – so many calories per drink – is it worth it to you?
Decide how many sweets you are going to have. If you give in to sweets every time they are presented to you over the next 54 days you will gain weight. There is just no way around it! Too many sweets in too short of a time! Just because someone gave you chocolates at work does not mean you have to eat them all. I know you want to be polite to everyone, but you do not have to eat every sweet. Focus on YOU, put yourself first and only eat the sweets you really, really, really want. Take a moment and decide if it is worth it to you.
This is the season of giving and I am all about sharing the love (I love the love!) but also remember to GIVE TO YOU! Be good to yourself, make yourself and your health a priority and do what you want.
Lets all start 2013 as healthy, strong, motivated rockstars – go get em and rock on!