Finding Your Own Balance Over the Holidays
Hi friends! Did you know the toilets flush backwards down here in the down under? Random fact of the day! But seriously, I’ve got an awesome guest poster for you today. Kimberly from Manifest Yourself is the most inspirational blogger I’ve ever met. She is smart, creative and best of all, she is the nicest person ever! Enjoy!
Health, fitness inspiration, wellness and the holidays are words that are hard to find in the same sentence from late November to early January. When Brittany asked for me to assist My Own Balance with a guest post while she was away I was too excited, but also wondering how I could approach this topic to make it meaningful.
We’ve all heard that the true reason for the season is giving…but we continue to give ourselves second and third helpings of our favorite fat laden dishes.
We also hear that it is only one or two days out of the whole year, so why not enjoy? Or the strong willed souls argue that it is only a day or two and this is the perfect time to practice saying no and stick to your own nutrition plan.
I believe that everyone has to find “their own balance” in order to be happy, festive, and still healthy during the holiday season. Let’s face the facts, when my Grandma makes her famous peach cobbler, and my Father whips out the homemade vanilla ice cream….I want a taste. But the key here is moderation and remembering what makes you feel good.
When you lay back on the couch, after attempting to cram and devour your plate that was filled to the edges with copious amounts of food, how do you feel? Honestly. Better yet, how do you feel the next hour, or even the next day?
When I sit back and force myself to be honest, after converting to a healthier more mindful lifestyle, I feel pretty gross during the holidays when I overindulge. My stomach bloats, my skin doesn’t look as vibrant, and I have fairly low energy. The only thing that gets me moving is knowing that there is a warm blanket and a hot cup of tea ready for me by the couch.
So what can do do?
1. Remember that the spirit of the holidays is to enjoy your friends and family. Yes everyone hates to hear that, but it’s true. Most of us would be pretty sad if it was just us and a sweet potato pie in the kitchen.
2. Try to get everyone to participate in non food related activities like dancing, video games, watching movies, or playing board games. Sometimes you just need to distract yourself from the leftovers on the table.
3. Be mindful of your plate. Make sure you still have a healthy balance of veggies, proteins, fats and carbs. Too much of anything is generally not a good idea.
4. If all else fails, remember that it is only one day. In some cases, it is only one meal! Make sure that you do not allow one day or one meal to ruin your wellness efforts. This goes for people trying to lose, maintain, and gain weight. Indulge and then get back to your normal daily habits at the next meal.
What tips do you have for staying healthy over the holidays?
Kimberly is the Founder & Editor of Manifest Yourself, a lifestyle blog, where she merges her professional background with her personal interests and discusses wellness, fitness, mindfulness, career related topics and anything else that crosses her mind. If you would like to get in touch with Kimberly, please email her at [email protected].
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