Fa-la-la-la Let the Festivities Begin! How to Stay on Track During the Holidays

*AVERAGE READ TIME: 3 minutes

It's that time of year again! Time when temptation surrounds us and in the blink of the eye we can find ourselves turning into real-life cookie monsters or enjoying just a few too many glasses of eggnog with family and friends. One thing's for certain- it's easy to get caught up in the festivities of the holiday season and decide to wait until the new year to get back on track. But here's a fun fact: this time of the year is actually one of the BEST times you can start getting focused on your health and fitness goals. By beginning now instead of waiting until the new year as the majority of people do, you automatically give yourself an advantage. And nope, it's not just a few extra weeks of time. It's the feeling of empowerment that comes along with the choice you made to take healthy action.

Ready to set the tone for 2017? Here are a few things you can do during the holiday season in order to sail smoothly into the new year ahead of the pack:

#1. BE PROACTIVE.

It's usually pretty easy to plan ahead of time during the holidays. Probably by now you have a good idea of the gatherings you'll either be hosting or attending, so plan to take healthy action before you go to these events. For example, maybe you've been invited to a holiday potluck dinner with friends and you know it's going to be a smorgasbord of your favourite foods. Instead of waking up and deciding it's going to be a full on "cheat day", try implementing a few healthy actions into your day leading up to the event. Fit in a workout or cardio session in the morning. Prioritize lean protein and veggies throughout the day. You may even want to consider intermittent fasting for a portion of your day. These tactics will provide you with more "wiggle room" to indulge later and still stay right on track.

#2. BE THE ONE THAT BRINGS THE HEALTHY TREATS.

We all know there is no shortage of tantalizing sweets and fun finger foods during holiday gatherings. So instead of contributing to the plethora of cookies, cake, dips and chips, why not be the one who brings the healthy alternative? Think outside the box! Try coming up with creative ways to make your favourite recipes healthier. For example, instead of using full fat sour cream, use plain Greek yogurt. Or instead of baking with oil, use applesauce instead. There are lots of ways to tweak recipes to make them substantially healthier and still taste great.

#3. DRINK LOTS OF FLUIDS.

During the holiday season when there's lots going on (and often some changes in your daily routine) it's easy to forget to stay properly hydrated. This can lead to excess fluid retention that you may mistake for fat gain, and can make you feel bloated and crummy. In order to prevent this, make sure to keep a big glass of water nearby at all times and do your best to drink consistently throughout the day. Another thing you can do is keep a protein shake in your purse for when you're out shopping or travelling to gatherings. This gives you something quick to grab and will prevent you from over eating later on. I personally prefer a high quality meal replacement to make sure I'm getting a full spectrum of nutrients, complex carbs, protein, and healthy fats.

#4. MOVE AFTER A BIG MEAL.

Turkey coma is a real thing! So instead of bee-lining to couch after a big meal, make sure to get up and move your body. This can be as simple as getting up to wash the dishes, playing hide and seek with your younger relative, or getting outside to build an epic snowman. It's not about burning off the calories you just ate but rather it's about helping you digest your food, give you a surge of energy and make you feel better mentally.

Happy holidays everyone! Savour your time with family and friends and enjoy this wonderful time of year. See you in 2017!