Get The Ultimate Binge-Free Holiday 2019 Guide Here
The holidays are officially HERE and a lot of us are hoping that this year will be different than the ones in our past. If you’ve been putting in the work and making changes to your relationship with food, you might be a bit fearful for the next month of celebrations. Everywhere you go there seems to be a plate of sugar cookies up for grabs, slices of pie left in the kitchen at your office, and bowls of chips & dip on every counter you pass by. It can be SO tempting to have “just a nibble”, but if you’ve been struggling with emotional eating, one bit could lead to an all out binge. Here are my tips on how to navigate this tricky time of year:
1. SET INTENTIONS
Decide how you want to feel after each party you have on your agenda long before you even walk by the buffet. Do you want to leave feeling stuffed and guilty or satisfied and content? Make a game plan going into the holiday season, but remember to let yourself enjoy the festivities! You CAN have your favorite dishes & desserts, just be mindful while you’re eating them. Check out my post on Fullness Forecasting to learn more about this technique!
2. BOOST SELF-CARE
When you’re running around trying to get all those last minute gifts, finalizing plans with your family, and attending events left and right, you have less time to yourself. We all know how important self care is especially when you’re more stressed than usual! Set some practices in place that you can rely on to keep you sane. Make it a goal to meditate every day, get enough sleep, and schedule in time to relax. It’s the little things that will make the biggest difference.
3. STAY NOURISHED
You might feel tempted to skip breakfast if you ate a big dinner complete with drinks and desserts the night before. Remember that restricting will only make things worse! Think back to the last time you intentionally ate less after a large meal, how did that make your body and mind feel? The last thing you want is to restrict all day long before a party only to overdo it on the christmas cookies and punch, this is another way the binge/restrict cycle can mess with your mindset this season.
4. TAME TRIGGERS
Is there a family member that always makes you feel bad about yourself or a certain food that you ALWAYS each too much of no matter what? Make a list of your biggest triggers and plan on how you can deal with them in a healthier way.
5. EAT MINDFULLY
In a room full of people with music, twinkling lights, and an abundance of cocktails, it can be easy to lose track of what’s on your plate. Be aware of what you’re eating, the textures and tastes in your mouth, and how the food feels inside of you. Before you grab another drink or fill your plate back up, take a second to pause and take note of how you feel.
6. DITCH DIET RULES
The events and parties you’re attending won’t be any fun if you’re thinking about food the whole time! Let yourself indulge in your favorite holiday foods without becoming obsessive. There’s nothing wrong with mashed potatoes and stuffing, but there is something wrong with diet culture telling you to completely avoid those foods!
7. STAY CONNECTED
The whole reason this is the most wonderful time of the year is because we get to spend time with the people we love the most! Engage with the people your surrounded by and express gratitude for the loving connections in your life. This is what the holidays are all about.
If you want to totally embrace the holidays this year and make sure you don’t encounter the ghosts from christmas’s past, I’m gifting you a FREE discovery session with me! Sign up here to apply for your session.