It’s been weeks of planning, but the holidays have officially arrived!! In just three days, we will be celebrating Christmas Eve. This year went by so darn fast, y’all!
When it comes to planning for the holidays, I feel like I run around for days to get all the gifts cared for. Saturday, for example, I was at the post office THREE times to ship everything out. And, if you were at the post office on Saturday… you know that place was a madhouse! My family lives out East, so getting everything wrapped, packed, and prepared is always a big deal.
Once that’s done, it gives me a chance to pause and think about what’s ahead. It’s hard to believe that this is my 6th Christmas since I started my healthy living journey.
And, just because it’s been six years doesn’t mean it’s becomes second nature. If there’s one thing I’ve learned on this weight loss journey, it’s that I have to try every single day. The great news is that I have a lot of success stories to leverage.
In my family, we tend to do everything BIG when it comes to the holidays. We cook huge meals, we laugh loudly, and the wine is flowing. Putting myself in this type of environment can be tough, and falling back into old habits is a little too easy. For me, having a plan is essential and I’m sharing that today!
Make Menu Suggestions
My sister-in-law Beth has already started meal planning, in preparation for our family’s arrival later in the week. When asked, I made sure that I requested family favorites (like the braciole we eat every year!) but I also requested some lighter items like our favorite taco salad and healthy options for breakfast like grilled tomatoes on english muffins, as opposed to decadent pastries and pancakes.
Build Your Plate Wisely
Very early on in my Jenny Craig journey, my consultant recommended that I build my plate in a healthy way. Ever since, I’ve been building my holiday dishes this way, and it works!
Imagine white meat turkey in the upper left, roasted sweet potatoes in the lower left, and a huge mound of fresh veggies on the right side! Try it!
Don’t Hang Out with the Baked Goods
Someone with a blog called No Thanks to Cake definitely has spent some time with the cookies in years past. Christmas cookies were something that I couldn’t say no to. Whether gingerbread cookies or yummy peanut butter blossoms, I’d find myself eating the cookies for days, until they were gone.
For me, the hard part isn’t resisting the cookies, as much as it is resisting the second, third, and fourth cookie. Once I’ve had one, I want more. I really make a conscious effort to just not start eating the cookies now, because I know I’ll have a hard time stopping. Stay away from the cookie jars, y’all!
Go Easy on the Spirits
Last year, around this time, I decided to make the decision to stop after one glass of wine. And, truth be told, I’ve pretty much kept that same ever since. Every once in a while, I’ll go for a second glass… but it’s pretty rare.
I really find that adopting a one-glass limit makes me feel better the next day. Try it!
Hit the Reset Button
As soon as you get home from the festivities, hit that reset button again! One meal won’t ruin your plan, especially if you have your heart set on getting back on track!
It’s just a few days… and then I’ll be back on my Jenny Craig plan. That’s what I tell myself!
What do you do to manage through the holidays?