Being successful over the holidays is all about planning! You have to plan out your meals, plan out your workouts, and prepare for your social gatherings. Really, the holidays are a perfect time to work on living a balanced life.
I did a pretty horrible job last holiday season and want this year to be different. It’s not that I didn’t plan, but I struggled to follow through with my plan. This year I’m determined to live out my plan and to enjoy the holiday season all at the same time.
My first step each week is to create a meal plan, incorporating in my social events. As my evenings can vary throughout the holiday season, I focus on what I can control, eating a healthy and balanced breakfast and lunch each day.
For breakfasts this week I am having steel cut oats made with unsweetened vanilla almond milk. I made the oats according to the package and then divided them into 4 separate containers. I then topped the oats with 1/4 cup of almonds and 1/4 cup dried cranberries.
A splash of almond milk and a zap in the microwave make these oats an ideal grab and go breakfast each morning.
For my lunches this week I put together a balanced meal. I steamed broccoli and then topped it with cooked ground turkey, seasoned with taco seasoning. A 1/2 cup of lentil and rice pilaf, 1/4 cup of almonds, and an Adora vitamin round out my week day lunches.
Dinners are quite flexible, but I’m focused on eating lean and green. Take last night’s dinner for example, I sauteed zucchini in some coconut oil and then added in some grilled chicken. Simple yet delicious!
My next step was to plan out my workouts.
Sunday- Barre
Monday- Zumba
Tuesday- Cardio @ gym or Nia dance class (depending on weather)
Wednesday- Vinyasa yoga
Thursday- Turkey Trot 5 Miler
Friday- Barre and restorative yoga
Saturday- Pilates
So far this week I’ve taken a Barre class at Go Figure Potomac and a Zumba class at Pro Fit in Gaithersburg, both of which were awesome!
Working out is so important to me and is really key in my success over the holidays.
For holiday gatherings my tips are simple…
1. Always eat off of a plate. Try to avoid bites, tastes, and licks while in the kitchen. Enjoy the food after it has been served.
2. Put your favorite foods on your plate first. Don’t fill it up with foods you don’t enjoy. If you like stuffing, put it on your plate.
3. Eat slowly. Allow your body time to determine if it is full or still hungry (takes about 20 minutes).
4. If/when you go back for seconds, load up on vegetables.
YOU CAN BE SUCCESSFUL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!! Remember that you are in control of your life. You control what you eat, if you workout, and ultimately how you feel come January 1. It isn’t easy, but living out your plans can help you to have a balanced and healthy holiday season.
