The top 5 ways to getting healthy after the holidays

07 Jan The top 5 ways to getting healthy after the holidays

No matter how committed you are to a healthy lifestyle, Christmas and New Year always provides plenty of challenges to sticking to your goals.

The holiday binge is often inevitable. Temptation is literally at your fingertips and even the strongest of us find it difficult to say “no thanks” to those tasty morsels taunting us on the dinner table.

If you have thrown caution to the wind and given into temptation, don’t stress, all it takes is some smart eating and a little extra exercise to get your healthy-self back on track. To help you on your way, here are my top five tips for bouncing back after a holiday binge.

1. Let it go

The guilt that plagues us following a binge can be more damaging than the actual overeating. Move on and just consider it a temporary setback. It happens to the best of us. Ignore the scales and instead remember the holiday memories that you have created. Don’t starve yourself as penance. This will only make your body store more fat. Regroup and focus on a balanced, healthy routine.

2. Goal setting

Gain back control by writing down your plan of attack for the following days, weeks and months. Plan your meals and increase your exercise. When you have written down clear goals, your mind starts to focus more on how to achieve those goals. Even the smallest of actions lead to big results.

3. Get moving

Exercise is often the first thing that falls by the wayside during the holiday season. Put aside time every day to exercise and after that first workout, you’ll start feeling more like you again. Try booking a personal training session or a small group class if you need to be held accountable. Better yet, invite a friend along. Research shows that the key to sticking with fitness is all about starting slowly and doing it with friends. 

4. Eat smart

Plan your meals and stick with it. Start the day with a protein packed breakfast and a green smoothie on the side. A good breakfast will keep you fuller for longer and helps you eat less throughout the day.

5. Hydrate

It’s important to drink lots of water throughout the day (and every day for that matter). Water aids energy levels and brain function. Also, drinking water before meals (around two glasses) can help you feel fuller and eat less during meals.