Between squeezing in holiday activities to your already busy schedule, and trying to enjoy all the seasonal treats this time of year brings, it’s normal to feel like you should start an intense diet and exercise routine starting with the New Year. Here are my tips to balance the holidays and your own definition of health without the need to restrict or punish yourself afterwards.

Tip #1

Ditch the Scarcity Mindset with Treats

The good news about holiday treats is that they are special because they only come around once a year, the bad news is, they only come around once a year so we might feel the need to eat as many as possible before they’re gone! This scarcity mindset is what makes people feel the need to partake while they can, which sometimes leads to eating more than they actually wanted, and then feeling like they should punish themselves with future restriction. I definitely experienced this in the past when I had some disordered eating habits.

Instead of trying all the holiday food, focus on eating your favorites. Don’t put a limit on yourself about how much you can eat of your favorites, but do listen to your body’s hunger cues, telling you if you’re full. If you don’t limit yourself, then the feeling of “I have to eat it before I don’t get a chance to anymore!” will fade. You can always save a piece for later!

*Purchase my Non-Shamey Nutrition Guide for step by step help on starting these new habits

Tip #2

Workouts can be Good Enough Instead of Perfect

Working in gyms for over a decade has shown me that almost all of us decrease our activity during the last 2 months of the year. Between travel, parties, and end of the year work deadlines, it might feel like fitness can wait until New Years to pick back up again.

I recommend ditching the “all or nothing” mentality, and doing workouts that are “good enough” instead of what you’d typically do.

Try meeting with your personal trainer virtually from your home instead of traveling to the gym
5 minute workouts instead of 55 minute workouts are still exercise
Walking around the block or taking the stairs is movement you can fit in during your day
Workouts that feel easy to you might be a great pace if you’re not up to something high intensity
If you typically workout every day, give yourself permission to drop down to 2-3 days a week instead

You’ll still feel the benefits from movement, you can give up the perfectionist ideals for a few weeks, and you won’t feel the need to force yourself into punishing workouts that lead to burnout once January hits.

Tip #3

Make a Plan: Pick What’s Most Important

If you’re like me, you might feel the need to watch every single favorite holiday movie, bake every single holiday dessert, attend every single holiday party, write cards to every person you know, and also show up for tree lightings, caroling, and donation drives.

Before things get too crazy, write down the traditions that are most important to you. Rank them from 1 to 10 (or 20, or 100…) in order of their importance, and then ditch the items that can wait until the next year. Don’t pressure yourself to do everything, and instead focus your energy and your schedule on making time for what matters most. Your mental health and energy levels will thank you, and you’ll feel refreshed once January arrives.

Authentic health looks different on everyone, so pick the approach that makes you feel the best. Food restriction isn’t necessary, workouts don’t have to be all or nothing, and activities should energize you. Have other recommendations for a healthy holiday? Please comment below!

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Essential Mindset for an Authentically Healthy Holiday