So after yesterday’s post Is It Really Just a Number? Yes, it is; this is a timely Friday 5!
We’ve all either been working so hard or just starting out on our journey to get fit and healthy.
Then BAM
along come the Holiday’s!
First Thanksgiving which literally revolves around food.
(yes, this is cake)
Then for my family we are off to Christmas
which means
cookie exchanges
Gingerbread houses
Family and friend gatherings
New Year’s Celebrations.
Then BAM BAM BAM
The New Year’s guilt and getting back on track
BUT
what if there didn’t have to be any New Year’s Guilt?
What if we could still enjoy all our festivities while not finding that our clothes are shrinking.
That’s what today’s Friday Five is all about
5 ways to stay on track / healthy during the holidays
Now, I’m still trying to figure this out and I know that I won’t be perfect so
- Maybe instead of meeting friends for lunch, we could meet for pedicures, shopping, or even a run. It’s about spending time with our friends not about the food.
- Sign up for a local Turkey Tot, Jingle Fun Run or any sort of silly usually short race. They are not only fun, but it will also keep you motivated. I’ve also signed up for the Half Marathon for January. Yes, I’m going to freeze my butt off but I will have to keep running through the holiday’s to be ready for it and I won’t be alone! Grab a friend to join you.
- Tweak your recipes to make them healthier. This is always a tough one, but there are ways to do it. It does take more planning, time and less processed food. Pintrest is a wonderful thing
- Don’t drink your calories. For me I’m not even talking alcohol. I’m talking homemade hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows or Eggnog. I’m the only one in my house who likes Eggnog, therefore there is no reason for it to be in my fridge all month long. I vow when the container in my fridge is gone; I will not buy another one till I’m having company. I will also NOT make marshmallows until right before Christmas!
- Life is short. Enjoy it which if for me means partaking in the food of the Holiday’s. So I’m going to go for it! Just don’t go for all of it. So when at cookie exchange, party, ect; I will eat. But to make sure that I’m not going over board, I will not nibble. I will make a small plate up thereby monitoring what I’m eating. It’s a lot easier to keep track of how many cookies I’ve had by making a plate up. To see the actual amount I will eat than haphazardly pick one by one up with no idea how many I’m actually eating. This strategy will work for any Holiday party too.
I do plan to enjoy my Holiday’s this year. I know that life is short and meant to be lived, so I am going to live it. That is one of the reasons that I work so hard. I do want my cake and eat it too! If I stay motivated, keep on track and maybe just tweak things just a little it will all work out. And if doesn’t that just means that I need to work out a little longer:)
Here’s hoping:)
For more ideas
check out the other blogs through
the Friday Five Link Up
hosted by DC area bloggers
Eat Pray Run DC, Mar on the Run and You Signed up for What?!!
The Accidentally Running Mama 
I like the idea to have a get-together focused on something other than food!
I think most of our friends would appreciate it too! I, personally, like the shopping one:)
Great ideas! It can be really helpful to change around a recipe to make it healthier. Many times I don’t even notice the difference!
In my family if they don’t know I’ve tweaked a recipe, they don’t even notice. That’s how I got my kids loving mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes but if they had Known ahead of time, they would never even have tried them.
I love the idea of meeting friends for pedicures, shopping or a run! Maybe even use it as an incentive to stay on track and treat yourselves to a reward to keep everyone motivated!
All those treats look amazing!
I hate how holiday gatherings are always centered on food. I need to find more ways to connect with friends and not have to go out to eat all the time. Good tips!
As much as we all love the food, it doesn’t always have to be about the food!
I love you idea of meeting for an outing and not just lunch or dinner. It’s also a great idea instead of giving gifts too; memories are the best presents 🙂
so true!
Over the fall / winter I need to remember to limi the hot chocolate and hot apple cider so as to not get too many calories from them. But they’re just so good…
Hot chocolate is my weakness all winter long!! I tried to fool myself last year when I had a BIG cup of hot chocolate with a yummy homemade marshmallow in it that I was getting calcium. This winter, I am going to try to limit it to one or two nights a week without the marshmallow.😁
“go for it – but don’t go for all of it” — great tip! thanks for linking up!
Thanks for hosting! Living the themes too:)
Christmas pedicures for the win! what a great idea 🙂
👍
I completely agree with all your tips, especially #3 and #4!
I know it’s so easy to drink the calories. That is one of my many downfalls! M working on it.
I love your idea of finding fun ways to catch up with family and friends that don’t revolve around food. I would much rather get a mani pedi than fill up on sweets! Great suggestion 🙂 And good luck on the half!
Great tip about trying to think of non-food-centric meetups and gatherings. Time with friends and family is so centered around food, to help balance that a non-food gathering is a great idea!