Do you have a New Year’s resolution to “be healthier” each year after a long holiday season filled with sugar, not enough sleep, stress, and little physical activity?

Instead of waiting until the new year to focus on your health, what if we focused on staying on track with our health during the holidays instead? That way we wouldn’t have to go on another holiday detox or feel tired, puffy, and frustrated we can’t zip up our pants once the holidays are over. This is what I like to call the holiday hangover.

You may be thinking I’m crazy and that there’s no way you’re going to skip out on your grandmothers’ gingerbread cookies at Christmas, but guess what? I’m not telling you that you have to.

I’m here to tell you that there are ways you can stay on track with your health AND enjoy a glass of eggnog too (any fellow eggnog lovers out there?!)

So how can you do this? Below are some ways:

1. Set limits on sugar: Instead of trying every cookie, chocolate, pie, etc. available, set limits (such as two or three options) on what you’re going to have and then ENJOY it by savoring each bite.

2. Don’t fill your plate: Most dinner plates are oversized, which makes us fill them up with more food than necessary. Be mindful about what you’re putting on your plate and remember that it’s okay to leave some empty space. This can help prevent overeating and feeling like you can’t get off the couch for the rest of the day.

3. Start the day with a balanced breakfast: During the holidays, it can be easy to skip out on breakfast due to a lack of time or desire to “save” the calories for the rest of the day. Unfortunately, this only sets you up for overeating and sugar cravings later on.

Make sure to start your day with a balanced breakfast filled with protein + healthy fats + fiber + greens.

Some examples:

· Scrambled eggs with spinach cooked with butter and served with diced sweet potatoes

· Breakfast salad made with greens, breakfast sausage and avocado slices

· Simple smoothie made with plain Greek yogurt, spinach, berries, and natural peanut butter

Check out my blog post on “Five Ways to Better Your Breakfast” for additional tips!

4. Watch your drink: Yes, I enjoy a good cup of hot chocolate once in awhile, but most holiday drinks are loaded with sugar, and having a glass here and there can certainly add up quickly. For example, a Starbucks peppermint cocoa has 33 grams (or over 8 teaspoons) of sugar in just a small size. This is more than the recommended amount of no more than 25 grams of added sugar for the entire day.

Focus on hydrating your body with plenty of water, and aim to drink at least half of your body weight in ounces each day (especially during the holidays!)

5. Move your body: This doesn’t mean you have to add a spin class to your already stressful and busy to-do list. Moving your body can consists of stretches first thing in the morning, taking a family walk around the neighborhood looking at lights, or playing a game with your kiddos. Find something that fits into your schedule and you enjoy doing, and aim to move your body daily.

Despite all the hustle and bustle the holiday season can brings us, remember that it is possible to stay on track with your health goals AND eat your cookies too!

As always, if you need additional support, I’m here to help!