Do you, like me, plan holiday menus way in advance? What you’ll cook, what others will bring? For me, a part of the fun during holidays is the special food. In my house it’s apple crumble at Rosh Hashanah, stuffed cabbage on Succot, and so many desserts. During holidays we tend to sit around the table for a longer time, enjoying family and friends, and eating more than we usually do. After all, the food is right there in front of us, and delicious, so why not? So, how do we enjoy the holidays and all the special food that comes with them, without gaining weight?
- First of all, remember to enjoy
It isn’t every day that we have a holiday, and allow yourself to indulge in foods you don’t normally eat. Remember that what makes an impact is what we do 90% of the time, and not what we do the other 10%. Part of the joy of holidays is the special foods with people we love, and that is ok.
- Fill your plate from a place of Self love
We always want to be considerate of our body, so be sure that on your holiday table there are many salads, cooked vegetables, healthy proteins, and plenty of natural plant based foods. This way, before you put on your plate quiche, or fried foods, you can put many healthy options on there. Then, when you do take the quiche, you’ll take one portion instead of three. It’s about choosing the less healthy food from a place of awareness.
- Plan your indulgences
Part of the challenge during holidays is cake for breakfast, dessert after lunch, snacks in the afternoon, and then another dessert at dinner. Does that sound familiar or is that only the case in my house? Plan your day. Think about when will you most enjoy dessert, and when will a fruit or nuts suffice? Let’s be real, none of us need four desserts in a day. Ask yourself, do I really enjoy eating dessert that often or am I just doing it because it’s in front of me? Maybe I could be really happy with cake in the morning and then fruit after meals? Maybe you’ll relish each bite more when it is a special treat.
- Walk
Take advantage of holiday time to go for walks, to be in nature, to relax and enjoy some views.Part of the fun in holidays, is that we aren’t running off to work, or school, or life’s usual stressors. We are stopping and making room and time for spiritual connection. Walking helps us connect to nature, to ourselves, to feel good in body and soul.
- Remember to drink
Sometimes when we break our routine, we forget simple basics like drinking enough water. It could be that on your holiday table there are sweetened drinks, or wine as a special holiday treat, or that you are drinking more coffee with all that dessert. Remember to drink enough water and not think of sweetened drinks as quenching. They are a treat, just like dessert. Remember that and ask yourself do I really want to have another glass of Cola or am I just thirsty for water?
Even if you don’t succeed at every meal to eat lots of vegetables, even if one day you eat more dessert than you wanted, or drink too much wine, recognize the wins. Where we put our focus is what grows and develops. Put a focus on your wins, on the times you succeeded in eating primarily healthy nutritious food, or went for a walk. Real change happens slowly and with compassion.
We’d love to hear about your wins, or your challenges in the comments below. What worked for you? What was harder?
To learn more about eating healthy, living well, feeling good, and being happy, contact me, and keep visiting.
