Nutrition & Goals During The Holiday Season

With Thanksgiving behind us and the holiday season and end the of the year fast approaching, we are smack dab in the middle of one of the most fun but also most stressful times of the year. This can be a challenging time for those who have nutrition and body composition goals or who have had bad experiences with eating during the holidays in the past - whether it was dealing with insatiable cravings or harsh criticisms and judgments at the dinner table.

Here’s a few things to remember:

Find The Lane That Works for YOU
The holidays tend to bring out the over-indulgers and the over-restrictors. You don’t have to be the person who says no to everything not accounted for in their macros or who feels the need to bring their Tupperware to every holiday party. You also don’t have to overindulge on sweet treats, eat far past satiety for days on end, and ride the “Bulking Season” wave. Find your own lane that allows you to enjoy the holidays, eat some beautiful delicious things, but also feel good and continue working towards your goals.

Beware The Holiday Marketing
“Lose 20 Pounds For Christmas” marketing schemes or the detox teas that are on sale on Black Friday are geared to prey on people’s insecurities during the holiday season. Be mindful of these marketing tactics, especially as they begin to prey on New Year’s Resolutioners. If you find a brand that does this, you do not have to support them and you can warn your friends and colleagues and point out these predatory marketing tactics. Anything with “Quick” “Cleanse” “Detox” or “Rejuvenate” in the title is a bit of a red flag and probably calls for more research and digging before purchasing.

You Are In Control Of Your Food Dialogue
We like to talk about food. We also like to criticize or judge others based on how or what they eat. This can also be especially true for folks with food allergies, restrictions, or previous eating disorders that don’t allow them to eat all food groups or to be especially sensitive to food conversations.

Talk to your family and friends who engage in this type of conversation and establish some boundaries that will create a less stressful or less tense environment. Also, if you feel the need to comment on what someone is eating - just take a second to think about whether your comment could be taken poorly.

Find your boundaries and communicate them to your friends and family. It can break years of toxic dialogue and make the environment more welcoming to all.

You Do Not Earn Food.
Period. If you overindulge one day, that does not mean you need to restrict on the next day or go “work off” all of the extra calories. Food is not a reward and exercise or restriction is not “punishment”. Go to bed, drink some water, and get back to your routine the next day.