How to Have Your Healthiest Holiday EVER!

The Holidays are always the hardest time of year to stay on track with your health and fitness.  Trust me, as a busy mom I know this first hand.  Most people want to wait until AFTER the New Year to get back on track because its just too much to think about.  I definitely used to be one of those people, always waiting and waiting and waiting for the "right" time to get started.  But like I've said before, being healthy should be a 365 day thing, not a "when it feels right" thing.



It may feel like a stretch now, but I promise if you can get through the next 30 days with even just ONE improvement from last year's holidays you're going to feel 100x better, more confident, more energetic and VIBRANT this holiday season - and isn't that what we all want?  To TRULY feel alive and excited about our lives and the people we love most? To make the most of every single moment?!

I love this quote because its just SO true!

Stop waiting.
Until Your car or home is paid off.
Until you get a new car or home.
Until you go back to school.

Until you finish school.
Until the kids leave home.
Until the kids grow up.
Until you lose 10 pounds.
Until you gain 10 pounds.
Until you get married.
Until you have children.
Until you have a steady job.
Until you have higher income.
Until you retire.
Until spring. 
Until summer.
Until fall.
Until winter.
Until you get sick.
Units you get so far behind that there is no going back.

You may have a million reasons not to get started now. But deep down none of them could be as compelling as your desire to change, grow and succeed.
In a month or a year or 5 years from now you may have only one regret - that you didn't start now. Today matters. How you spend today really can change your life. But the first decision you must make is to begin.
- John Maxwell

Its time to stop waiting and start LIVING!!!  Here's my 5 best tips to help you through this holiday season and make it the healthiest you've EVER had!!!

1. Keep the focus on your family and having FUN, not food.
Christmas at your home may mean having a big ham or some green bean casserole but if you take the focus off the main course and plan some fun activities for your family you won't be thinking quite as much about food.  Immerse yourself into other things that the Holidays bring like caroling, tree trimming, shopping, or watching Holiday movies.

2. Try alternative non guilty dessert recipes

Keep the desserts to just one of your favorites (like home made cookies, peppermint bark, etc.) and the rest of the time stick to some healthier alternatives!! I know I was a skeptic on this one being a certified chocaholic that I am but I'll be honest - now some of these "healthier" alternative desserts have become my absolute favorites!! Try my Apple Peanut Butter Chocolate Chips or these Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies or this Dairy free Chocolate Coconut Pudding!!

Check out my "SIMPLE + HEALTHY MEALS FOR REAL MOMS COOKBOOK eBOOK" for delicious recipes the whole family will enjoy!

3. Set manageable goals

Saying you're going to do something is one thing and ACTUALLY doing it is another.  Don't set yourself up for failure by saying you're going to do a Whole 30 Challenge over Christmas (I would personally never be able to hold up to that).  But if you set a manageable goal to eat clean 80% of the time and watch your portions.  Eat 1 Cheat meal a week and only 1 dessert at your Holiday party - you'll set yourself up for success!!!  Its the things you do daily that create successful results, not the things you do once in a while.  

4.  Follow a Plan

Schedule in your daily workouts or follow a program guide calendar to keep you on track with your fitness.  Make sure to give yourself "make up" days if you know ahead of time that you won't be able to work out due to travel or other special activities.  If you write your workouts down on paper, you're less likely to skip them! Think of it like an important business meeting, would you cancel on your boss?

5. Find a support group or friend to keep you accountable

When you're surrounded by others who want to be happier, healthier and more vibrant this month too you are much more likely to stick to your own goals!!!  Find a couple friends and challenge each other to improve each day.  You are the sum of the 5 people you surround yourself with - so find some FIT-minded friends who want to be healthy for their family year round who will encourage and support you!!  And remember, its not a DIET, its a LIFESTYLE!!!  


Enjoy your Holiday! Let's make it the healthiest ever!

xoxo

Jackie




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