Like many people, I really enjoy the holiday season. It’s a time to gather with family and friends – eat delicious food – and, most importantly, reflect on all the things we have to be grateful for. It’s a time to slow down, review the previous year, and prepare for the next adventure. It’s also a time when some people tend to forget their health and wellness goals and put them aside. In the past, I definitely fell into that category. I wanted to achieve my goals, but I also wanted to participate in the holiday festivities. I went from one extreme to the other.
Now, I live more in the middle. I don’t believe in “either/or” – I’m more of an “and” girl … eat and have fun, indulge and be fit, celebrate and honor my wellness goals. I definitely want to have my cake and eat it too! I don’t want to feel deprived, and I don’t want to gain weight. I want to look and feel my best and also indulge in all the goodies.
After many years of trial-and-error and yo-yo dieting, I found a way to successfully do all these things without sacrificing my desires:
1. Set Your Holiday Intentions.
There’s nothing as powerful as being clear about what you want to achieve. Once you know what you want, you can figure out a way to make it happen. Write out your goals and create an action plan to set yourself up for success.
2. Nourish Your Body.
Eat! Don’t skip meals. Take your supplements. Drink plenty of water. Never go to an event on an empty stomach. If you’re in a hurry – as many people are during the holidays – drink your way to success … and, no, I’m not referring to alcohol! Juice, juice, juice 🙂
For more about juicing, go to “Just Juice It!”
3. Think Homemade.
Ever since I learned how to cook, I can eat so much more and not gain weight. I can splurge without feeling guilty. For me, this was an amazing feat! My life changed when I set up my kitchen differently and learned to prepare my favorite foods with new ingredients. Now, I really can have my cake and eat it too 🙂
For some great chocolate treats, try “Almond Joy Goes Raw,” “La Dolce Vita … Chocolate & Hazelnut,” and “RAW Bliss … Decadent Chocolate Brownie & Coffee Ice Cream.”
4. Honor Yourself.
While many people love the holidays, it can also be a stressful time of year. For some, it can be the most difficult time of year. No matter where you are on the spectrum, have compassion for yourself. Do whatever you need to do to nourish your yourself – meditate, pray, go in nature, journal. The choices are many. If you need support, seek it. Surround yourself with love, and empower yourself.
5. Correct & Continue.
Forget perfection! It’s doesn’t’ exist. No matter what you do, you’re going to stray from your well-intentioned plans at some point. That’s OK. You’re human. It’s normal and to be expected. When you do something you wish you hadn’t, practice self-forgiveness and move on. Each moment is a new opportunity to begin again. You don’t have to wait until tomorrow or next week to get back on track. Learn from your experience and proceed. It’s all about progress – not perfection.
Wishing you a great holiday season filled with love, peace, joy and lots of yummy food ~
I must admit that I’m not used to cold winters after living in the desert for so many years. Being in Italy this time of year has been an adjustment on many levels – no complaints, of course! 🙂 The other day I was in the mood for some hot chocolate and wanted to see if a raw version would hit the spot, and I must say it did the trick! It was warm, rich, decadent and delicious. I enjoyed it so much I made it again the next day! It’s a great way to unwind on a cold day and the perfect treat to share with that special someone.
Well, I’m finally in Italy. It seems like ages since I’ve posted. I spent about a month in the NW with family and did very little cooking. The break was great, but it feels good to be back in the kitchen trying some new things.
SEXY. FIT. FREE. 