Last Updated on September 25, 2018 by Diane Hoffmaster
Every day, my to do list gets a little bit longer and my energy levels gets a little bit lower. The school year is in full swing, the holidays are coming and I am not ready. I decided that in order to stay healthy during the holidays, I need to have a plan. Winging it isn’t going to keep energy levels up and germs at bay.
I decided to share my healthy tips for the coming months in case you want to join me in my attempt to stay out of the doctors office this December. If you are traveling this holiday season, check out my post on how to eat healthy while traveling so you don’t succumb to those germs while you are on vacation.
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5 Tips to Stay Healthy During the Holidays
While staying healthy during the holidays is important, these easy health tips can really help keep you healthy all year round. The key is to plan ahead and put them on your to do list. Don’t wait til the last minute to get ready for Christmas. You will end up tired and stressed out, which never ends well for mom! So, how do you stay healthy under stress? Here are my action items for the coming season:
Eat Breakfast:
Okay, a healthy breakfast is a little tough some days for me. I try to find a balance of protein and carbs to fill me up and keep my blood sugar stable for a couple of hours. If I’m home, this could be a piece of toast with peanut butter. If I’m running the kids to school and then starting on errands, I need something more portable. The best tip I can provide for staying healthy during the holidays is to start a simple meal planning system. Don’t just wing it or you will end up in the drive thru. And no matter how many times I tell myself to order something healthy, I usually don’t.
Here are some healthy breakfast ideas to try:
- Southwestern Quinoa Egg Breakfast Bowl Recipe
- Tropical Sunrise High Protein Breakfast Smoothie Recipe
- Easy Overnight Oats Recipe with Blueberries, Pecans and Flax Seeds
Schedule 10 Minute Workout Sessions:
This one is hard to do during the holidays. I seem to need every single 10 minutes I can get and my workouts are the first thing to go when I get busy. I try and multitask when I exercise, which probably isn’t a great way to exercise but I figure it is better than nothing, right? Exercise reduces stress, improves health AND lets you continue to fit into your pants.
At Home Workout Equipment I love:
How do I get exercise when I am busy? I get creative. Need to call my mom for my weekly check in? I head out the door to go for a walk with my walking shoes and my cell phone and exercise while I chat. Brushing my teeth, I do a mini workout on the step up into my garden tub. I get clean teeth and a mini workout at the same time. Waiting for the water to boil for tea? Do a few jumping jacks in the kitchen.
For the next couple of months, every calorie lost means one more Christmas cookie I can enjoy with a little less guilt! Even if you can’t head to the park for your favorite outdoor workout, you can still burn a few calories!
Tone your abs with this quick, 10-minute workout from PopSugar!
Drink Lots of Water:
This one is pretty easy for me. I don’t drink a lot of soda and limit myself to 2 cups of coffee a day. As a result, if I am drinking something, it is usually plain water. Keep a cup or water bottle with you at all times so you never get thirsty. Remember, if you are thirsty you are already getting dehydrated! If you are tired of plain water, try squeezing some lemon or lime in it.
Walk More:
The idea of walking more can really go under exercise but it doesn’t have to be that planned. Find the FARTHEST parking space you possibly can when you go shopping. Just drive all the way to the back of the parking lot and be happy you are shedding a few extra calories on the journey!
Shop and Snack Healthy:
In order to stay healthy during the holidays you need to EAT healthy! Buy lots of different fruits and veggies, low fat dairy products, and whole grains. Make sure to take your vitamins every day, too. Buy lots of things that are portable since you will be on the go a lot. A granola bar or an apple are easy to grab on your way out the door.
Sometimes, no matter how much we want to stay healthy during the holidays, we need to hit the drive thru. When stopping at fast food restaurants, choose low fat options whenever possible. Stock your home with healthy pantry items and be mindful of the foods that end up in your grocery cart.
Have any other tips on how to stay healthy during the holidays?
(note: post updated and content added from previous publish date.)
Thanks for the reminder on the water. That is the hardest thing for me when the weather gets cold but I really notice the benefits when I get more water.