Merry Christmas to all my readers!
I thought I’d share a few tips for a healthy holiday with you for my Christmas blog…
Keep moving
Remember my blogs about the “sitting disease” and how exercise can prevent and treat many chronic diseases? Researchers have found that even getting up and moving around for 5 minutes every hour can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, like diabetes and heart disease.
Have a plan
As I always like to say, “everything in moderation”. So, enjoy the special holiday goodies, but make a plan to avoid excess. Your plan could be to take half a piece, or to sample only a certain number of treats to limit your intake. Try to stay aware of how much you’re having.
Stay hydrated
Sometimes you’re thirsty, not actually hungry.
Alternating drinks with a glass of water helps to moderate alcohol intake too. It’s easiest if you fill your wine or drink glass with water so you won’t be tempted to refill your drink before you’ve finished your water break.
Make lists
The holidays can be a hectic time. Making a “to do” list is a good way to reduce the stress of worrying that you’ll forget something important.
Forget perfection
The holidays are a time for enjoying time with family and friends. When entertaining, plan to make it casual. Do a “pot luck”, ask for help when you need it, and make cooking and decorating a group activity.
Exercise early in the day
I have a little routine I try to do each morning. Especially during the holidays, something to do can easily crop up later in the day, thwarting your plan to exercise.
Plan outdoor activities
Even if you have a house full of guests, an after dinner walk or other outing gives everyone a change of scenery, fresh air and some exercise. And any elderly or unwell guests will have a peaceful break while the rest of you are out!
We always have a “beach walk” after Christmas dinner… and our doggie visitors love it too. (All 3 of my children have dogs… we had 5 dogs here one holiday!).
Only indulge for the day
Splurging on one day will never make or break your fitness plan – as long as you keep it to a day or two and not a whole month of indulgence! Enjoy the holiday with all its special treats (in moderation) then get back to your healthy life plan!
This will be my last blog for 2018 and I plan to take a little break for a while. My book about balancing hormones is ready to self-publish and I have a big learning curve ahead of me (that I’ve been putting off for far too long). And my hubby and I are planning a trip to Spain for 3 months…
So, have a wonderful holiday season and all the best for 2019… and I’ll write from time to time when I find a topic that’s especially interesting!
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