November is here! The holiday’s are just around the corner and so is that creeping anxiety around food. The holiday’s mean something different for everyone and that’s okay. If this post doesn’t jive with you – I totally understand. Not everyone celebrates the holidays or finds enjoyment this time of year.
This blog post is a little less about nutrition and more about how to approach the holiday’s with more flexibility and less rigidity. Mindset is everything! Here are a few ways to ease that anxiety and enjoy the holiday’s for what they are meant for – enjoyment.
Set boundaries ahead of time.
Social gatherings can be the most challenging part of the holidays. Especially when you are trying to begin or maintain new habits. Before walking into those situations, set some boundaries for yourself and for others. Boundaries can look like this:
- I want only 1 plate of food and 1 serving of dessert.
- I will not drink anymore than 2 cocktails.
- I won’t let anyone pressure me into crossing my boundaries.
- I will keep water with me at all times.
- I will go for a post meal walk.
The ability to keep yourself accountable can be really empowering. It builds trust and confidence – in yourself.
Be mindful of portions.
There’s nothing wrong with enjoy foods that may have little nutritional value (cookies, cakes, pies, sweet potato casserole, etc). Restricting yourself from these foods can create anxiety and nervousness about food and ultimately lead to binging in some cases. Instead of avoiding these foods entirely, enjoy them! Keep your portions to a minimum and stay mindful of your fullness queues.
Consistency > Perfection
Despite what you [and many others] may think, perfection isn’t what helps you reach your ‘goals.’ In fact, imperfection is what leads to the most progress. It gives you the opportunity to learn more about yourself and build confidence in your ability to work through obstacles. A day or two of eating more than usual or eating foods you don’t normally eat doesn’t have to completely derail your progress. The ‘all or nothing’ mentality can be really detrimental. In the end, it’s all about balance – but also understanding that you can be flexible and still get to where you want to be.
Don’t stress about the scale.
You will probably see the number on the scale increase after a night of indulgence. That is NORMAL and doesn’t mean you’ve gained body fat. Reasons the scale may have gone up:
- You just ate a big meal and your have food in your belly.
- Your body is holding onto water in the form of glycogen (stored in your muscles and liver). Glycogen is a source of energy.
- You haven’t gone #2.
Always remember, that YOU are in control of YOU. Don’t let anyone make you feel that you are not in control – including yourself. Have FUN! Enjoy time with family, friends [or whoever you choose to spend your time with] and focus on making memories – NOT a number on the scale.
Thanks for reading,
Crystal
Head Coach
