So, the holidays are here in full swing ~ we’re just a few weeks away from Santa filling stockings with goodies, matriarchs and patriarchs filling tables with food, and office Christmas parties every other day. And who can complain about that – as one of my favorite quotes by Hamilton Wright Mabie says, “Blessed is the season that engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.”
One could also argue that it’s a conspiracy of food, but that’s where we have some control. If you don’t already know this, choosing an eating lifestyle (we encourage the lifestyle of eating REAL food) will only be a successful choice if it is one that you aren’t restricting yourself in such a way that you’ll constantly fail. Instead of going from 10,000 Christmas cookies a day to zero, perhaps we cut from 10,000 to 2,500. Of course, I’m overdramatizing to make a point. But my point is – it takes time, it takes steps, and it takes giving yourself a little leeway now and then.
Enter the holiday season – the leeway.
There are TONS of food choices to make that will likely contribute to pants feeling tight, sugar headaches, overservedness, slugishness, and more symptoms of those sorts, directly correlated to what you’re eating. This is where we need to control those food choices. Does this mean you can’t have ANY pumpkin pie? Zero candy canes? No traditional Christmas morning mimosas? It does not.
On the other hand, you shouldn’t just throw your hands up and throw away your waistline and say yes to every treat that comes your way. Maybe don’t eat every Christmas candy that’s in the 20-pound bowl at the office. Try having only one mimosa on Christmas morning. Skip the candy canes this year. Give holiday cheer in a different way. Eat something you love at the holiday potluck, but eat mostly things that you love that are also good for you. Just because you eat one piece of pie in a day doesn’t mean that your whole “good food day” is ruined and that you should then eat another piece of pie, six chocolate bars, stop on the way home for a burger and fries, and eat a pint of ice cream for dessert. Indulge in that piece of pie ~ and stay on point with eating good food (meats, nuts, fruits, veggies ~ there are SO many varieties of this) for the rest of the day.
Try to adhere to the 80/20 (or even better 90/10) principle when thinking about your food and what you choose to eat. So, out of the approximately 21 meals you eat in a week, if you have a piece of pie and a glass of wine or two, it’s not the end of the world. Just don’t let it take you into a pie oblivion. Let the one piece be your one piece, enjoy it, and get back to all that other good stuff that nourishes you so well.
Keep the pansa in check, and have yourself a merry little Christmas!
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Did you know that we offer a Nutrition Accountability Program? Whether you want to start now during the holidays? Or once the new year hits, we are here to help you understand how and what to eat in order to make you feel your best. For 30 days (and beyond with our extended programming), we’ll guide you through and hold you accountable in making the best food choices you can and reaching the goals you strive to – whether it’s weight loss, leaning out, toning up, or something else. To learn more, ask questions, or get started, email tanya@crossfitvirilis.com.