Image: Michelle Meiklejohn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
You know what I’m talking about.
Who wants to arrive in 2012 with an extra top on the muffin, energy at rock bottom, and up to your earballs in regret?
With a few simple strategies in place you can easily avoid the slow slide into the fat and sugar haze that may have started with that first innocent candy corn at Halloween.
Start NOW to be pro-active about staying healthy through the holidays
Sure, many of us may whine about “how hard it is to stay in shape and eat healthy” during those last months of the year. Even though it can seem like everything is out of your control during the holidays, the truth of the matter is that what you put in your body (eat) and how you move (not if) is just about all you DO have control of, am I right?
Don’t underestimate the power of being well-fed, well-rested, and having a body well-moved during the holiday season. It will make everything else go better. Trust me.
5 strategies to avoiding post-holiday health-sticker shock in January 2012
Here are 5 things you can do to take charge of your holiday health and energy destiny. It’s all a matter of choices. You DO have control over a heck of a lot when you step up to the plate and make your health, fitness, and body shape a priority.
1) Save yourself first. Look, we’re all too busy to exercise or ‘eat right’. In truth, you are too busy NOT to stay active and keep yourself fueled on high-quality foods. If you keep shelving your own good dietary plan and workout routines to dance to someone else’s holiday tune, then you end up frazzled, fried, and probably fatter. If you don’t take care of yourself, who’s gonna do it for you? Make your food and workout plan for the week and stick to it.
2) Market in advance of an empty fridge. I always say, what you have is what you’ll eat. And if you don’t have healthy vegan foods on hand, then how can you eat them? Make it an unmovable priority to be sure that you have fresh vegetables and fruits that you know keep your body running optimally. Do you have enough stocked up for 7 servings of veggies a day for everyone in the house, 2 – 3 days out? Don’t put off the restock. Your energy, health, and weight depend on it.
3) Eat before you go. Simply put, don’t go to ANY holiday event, get together, or location where you know there will simply be big piles of non-food food available without eating a healthy, satisfying meal first. This is a simple survival skill. It’ll keep you out of the fluffernutters and fudge better than anything else. Keep the 3 rules of satiety working for you.
4) Take it with you. As an adjunct to #3, why not take something healthful and delicious to any holiday gathering? You will accomplish 2 things this way. One, if you are going to a non-vegan event, you can make sure that there is something yummy and nutritious for you to eat. And two, you may just be able to turn someone on to your way of eating by providing a yummers dish.
5) Team up. Find a buddy, a circle of friends, or an online group. Don’t go it alone if you can find some other like-mindeds. Accountability and encouragement are proven tools for success in any endeavor, including health and fitness.
Start NOW to arrive at New Years energetic, healthy, and regret-free.
And get a jump start on the healthiest year of your life so far, 2012. Start your New Year’s resolutions yesterday.
Lani Muelrath, M.A., the Plant-strong fitness expert
Lani Muelrath, M.A. is Vegan Mainstream’s new Health & Fitness Expert. Watch for regular articles from Lani on how to be a strong, healthy, fit vegan. Articles, videos, and more from Lani at www.lanimuelrath.com.
Lani is also “The Plant-Strong Fitness Expert” of www.lanimuelrath.com and creator of Fit Quickies™. She has a Master’s Degree in Physical Education and over 30 years of experience as a teacher, coach, and trainer. She has received awards for her instruction, created and starred in her own CBS TV Show, and her expertise in the area of health and fitness is called upon by examiner.com, Dr. John McDougall’s Health and Medical Center, Rip Esselstyn’s Engine 2 Diet, and Dr. Neal Barnard’s 21-Day Vegan Kickstart program. She is Certified in Plant-Based Nutrition Certification through Cornell University.>>>Go here now to sign up for Lani’s weekly news with insider information, motivation, & healthy & hot tips>>>
