Christmas Time…..

…is one of my favourite times of the year.

I love the special faith traditions and family customs that have been passed down through the generations – especially the English traditions that I still uphold even today.

I love the time I get to spend with my children and grandchildren and the special people in my life – even though I miss being able to spend time with my parents and in-laws. We have such special memories of times shared together with them.

But it’s also a very busy time of year.

Holiday and Christmas time is so special, but it can also be one of the most stressful times of the year with all the shopping, food prep and baking, extra activities, parties and gatherings, work functions, and so on.

It can also be a time when we veer off track with our food and healthy lifestyle choices. Our time is stretched thin with all of the travelling and extras and our eating choices run more toward the unhealthy with eating out more often and gathering for meals and parties.

This all inspired me to share some of my best tips to help you keep on track over the holidays.

Start with these first steps:

Ask yourself what’s most important to you during the holidays. How do you want to feel throughout them?

• Do you want to feel rested and full of energy so you can really enjoy your children, grandchildren, and all of the festivities?
• Do you want to feel lighter and comfortable in your clothes?
• Do you want savour every moment with loved ones and still enjoy all the festive food?

Keep reading to find out exactly how you can achieve that.

Reduce Stress

You can lower a significant amount of stress by planning ahead.

Prioritize what things really need to get done. Make a list of all the things that you need to do before Christmas.

Pace yourself. Simplify, so you don’t become overwhelmed and exhausted by the time Christmas arrives.

• Slow Down. Slowing down and putting an end to all the multitasking we do can really help us focus and really enjoy whatever activity we’re doing.
• Slow down, enjoy conversation and focus on the person you are with.
• Slow down while making a meal, put on your favourite Christmas tune and really enjoy your time in the kitchen.
• Slow down, while eating and savour each bite.

Be present and enjoy the moment.

Take Some Time to Relax

During this very stressful season, many of us tend to overeat or medicate ourselves with food when we’re stressed.

It’s important to schedule some daily time just for you.

•  Sit in front of the fire with a good book or your favourite magazine
•  Go and get your nails done
•  Take a long soak in the bath
•  Do some deep breathing exercises
•  Add in a little meditation
•  Go for a walk

Do whatever works for you to stay calm and de-stressed.

Get Enough Sleep

Make sure you stay consistent with getting enough sleep.

Aim for 7-8 hours per night, even through the holidays.

During busy times, our bodies need even more time to rejuvenate and recover. Getting enough sleep helps keeps cortisol levels balanced and will even help you keep control of your appetite!

Don’t Show Up To the Party Famished

Many people don’t eat much during the day they’re heading out for a festive gathering to save the calories for the party.

This can really backfire.

When we’re super hungry, blood sugars dip low resulting in overeating and often choosing high sugar food choices and processed carbs over the options packed with more nutrition.

Take a Healthy Dish To Family Gatherings or Parties

I like to take a healthy appetizer like veggies and dip, hummus and whole-grain crackers, lentil and bean dip, or a delicious salad.

This ensures that you’ll have something healthy to snack on along with some of the other festive foods.

Use the Food Swap Technique

Swap ingredients in your favourite Christmas recipes.

Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without some of my mom’s favourite recipes! I still make some of them, but I have swapped out some of the ingredients to lower the sugar content and increase fibre, protein, and healthy fat so they don’t totally throw off blood sugar levels.

When your blood sugar levels stay balanced, you’ll have an easier time making wiser food choices and maintain a healthy weight – even with all of the holiday eating.

Don’t forget, not everything needs to be swapped. This is the holiday season, after all. Your diet doesn’t have to be perfect, just balanced.

Choose a couple of special treats and enjoy every bite!

Keep Moving & Do Something Active Every Day

Aim to get your steps in or squeeze in a simple work to give your body what it needs – movement, oxygen, sunshine.

Plan some of your activities around physical activities. Take a walk with your partner, a friend, or your canine companion.

Plan a tobogganing party or head out cross country skiing or snowshoeing if you live in snowy regions. If the weather doesn’t permit outside activities, plan swimming, have a fun family game of floor hockey, or a night of bowling. The options are endless.

Don’t Skip Your Favourite Treats

The average weight gain over the holiday season is 5 to 8 pounds.
If you incorporate some of these tips, I’m confident that you’ll avoid that increase throughout THIS holiday season.

You will feel rested and energized. Instead of looking heaver, feeling older and worn out, you’ll have people asking you how you are managing to look younger, healthier and refreshed.

Follow these Healthy Living strategies and you’ll also have the energy to keep up with your busy family, grandchildren, friends, and community.

You’ll be able to look back on Christmas 2021 and say that despite the current pandemic and challenges of the last couple of years, this was your best Christmas ever! PLUS – you’ll be setting yourself up for success in the New Year.

In fact, these Healthy Living strategies are so vital that my entire Living Healthy Program is founded on creating a balanced, realistic HEALY life – one where you’re filled with energy, vitality, and passion.

I teach my clients how to find more balance and joy – every day. Swapping out simple ingredients in their recipes to balance blood sugar and hormones, as well as tuning up metabolism so they can lose weight, have increased energy, and have vibrant health.

The foundation of the Living Healthy Program helps you learn how to make wiser, healthier choices in every area of your life. [If you’d like to be added to the waitlist for the New Year Living Healthy Program send an email to lwadsworth@verizon.net.]

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