Avoid Holiday Sabotage

Although we look forward to this time of year for weeks and months, the holidays can bring a special kind of stress into our lives. Our to do list can get out of control, and time seems to fly by twice as fast. We hardly have time to sleep or get our thoughts together, let alone eat healthy or go food shopping. We wish that we could stay on our path and feel fit and in control during the holidays, but we feel like life can get in the way. The truth is, we have to be extra vigilant and committed in this time, because as much as we feel like it’s impossible to lose or maintain during the holidays – it is possible. Keep an eye out for these holiday sabotages that can throw you off your path.

Stress

All of us feel stress at some time or another, but the holidays can push us even further. Between shopping, cooking, planning, visiting family, traveling, weather and holiday breaks, many of us are thrown off our game. Disruption to our daily routines can distract us, so we have to find ways to stay grounded and in control. Make sure you are stocked with all the healthy foods you need, and look to the future to make sure you are prepared for holiday parties, events or other plans. Whether you are spending the day shopping, going out with family, hosting or attending a party or any other festive plans – be prepared! There are two weeks until Christmas and Hanukkah so there shouldn’t be any surprises.

Snacking

Having healthy snacks on hand is essential. When we are driving around from store to store shopping, spending hours walking around the mall, or spending time with our family and friends, a healthy snack will save you. We’ve all been there – we are shopping at the mall, completely exhausted and starving, low energy and just spent. That’s when we see it – the chocolate display at the checkout:

Just when we are feeling weak, we are faced with temptation. It’s a trick – they want you to think you are buying it as a gift, but moments later you’ll be eating it yourself. We are looking for sugar, energy or something to pick us up and this seems like the perfect thing. We think, “it’s okay, just a little bit of chocolate just this once” or “I did so much walking around the mall today so it won’t matter” – but it does. The only thing you can do is just say no. Make sure you have a bottle of water, and nuts or a protein bar or an Innovation snack in your bag so when you hit a low point you have options. It will also help you stay on track because you don’t want to skip eating all together then come home starving and binge. Make your shopping days healthy weight loss days.

Be Picky

These next few weeks are all about choices. We can let distractions or stress get in our way and derail us, or we can persevere and be successful. Just remember that it’s not all about the food. Pick and choose your Cheat Days and opportunities to indulge, and remember that you can have fun and embrace the holidays without giving up your healthy habits. When faced with a buffet or dinner, know all your options before digging in. Look for salad, veggies and simply cooked protein. Even if you snack on something healthy then wait and have a meal when you get home, you will be glad you were selective. When it comes to office parties or shared treats, summon your willpower and find a nice way to say no thank you. If you wouldn’t normally eat it, don’t give in because it’s dressed in festive wrappers.

The holidays will be here before we know it – this year, make sure you are in a good place and you will see what really matters. It’s not the food on your plate but the people who surround you.

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness

8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797

469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018