Hey Folks! As you know, the holiday season is soon ahead, and you may be having mixed emotions about how things will go…
For some, you may have a sense of optimism on your ability to practice mindful moments where you are aware, present, and making healthful decisions, even feeling empowered! For others, you may feel an impending sense of doom on how overwhelmed, off balanced, and simply hopeless you’ll be to stay anywhere near on track.
No matter how you feel, however, rest assured that this duality of competing emotions is completely normal, and we’re going to lay out 4 simple approaches you can do TODAY to better take charge of the holiday season and close out the year on YOUR terms.
- SET EXPECTATIONS
It starts with setting the expectations. Establishing CLEAR expectations of what you view as “success” during this holiday season is step one.
The reason is simple…it helps you get on the same page with yourself, which allows you to work backwards from the end goal and then determine “small” action steps/goals to take to help reach them.
For example, maybe an expectation is eating at home 5 days a week. If so, you can plan that out by scheduling your days at home, planning your food options from there, and getting to the grocery store first to have that food available to make. Whatever “your” expectations, try and get as clear as possible, and start working backwards from there to reach them.
- FIND YOUR FLEXIBILITY
Next in line, is your ability to be flexible–within reason.
As you know, there are moments where it’s important to “go with the flow” or “roll with the punches” because it’s a guarantee that no matter how good your plans are, something will come up. Nowhere is that more evident than during the holiday season!
From busy schedules, events, unpredictable weather, the last minute shopping, and the friend who calls you out of the blue to go out, there are literally endless things that come up to throw you off track and derail all your plans and motivation, especially during the holidays.
It can be highly frustrating, and can allow the “all or nothing” mindset to creep in and take over fast. It’s the thought of one thing not going your way and you feeling everything else doesn’t matter. It can be highly infectious, just like the common cold, so keeping it at arm’s length is the bare minimum here.
What can help is recognizing your successes as you go, like choosing a better option eating out, cooking a meal at home, simply eating slower, or choosing water before your next holiday drink! ALL these choices matter and add up. Focus on more of these “small” wins, and you can be surprised at how much easier it is to make that next healthier choice!
- BEFRIEND THE UNCOMFORTABLE 2 LETTER WORD
You recognize how sticking to “your plan” is important, and although flexibility is so needed as we just went over, it doesn’t mean you’re allowed to break!
Do you see where I’m going with this?
Going against the holiday spirit here…it’s practicing saying “NO.”
You don’t have to say it in a rude, or snarky way, a simple “no, thanks I’m busy,” or “can we do a ring check,” can do, or however you want to put it. Saying “no” can be one of the best holiday gifts to give yourself, as over committing is a REAL thing, and the holidays are often notorious for this.
Having the courage to simply say “no” to someone, OR something, can help you really focus on what YOU value and cherish most by being more selective with who and what gets your time and energy. This includes not only parties and events to go to, but also saying “no” to a dessert, or seconds. It’s a POWERFUL move that arguably has a smaller chance for regret than always saying “yes.” Consider it; I think you may be pleasantly surprised!
- TRACK YOUR FOOD
Finally, it’s your old pal…logging your food!
It’s a “tool” that has been tested time and time again, and it upholds its value to help guide your decision making to stay in charge of exactly “how much” you are eating. You can’t go wrong here!
Now, although logging “everything” during the holidays is unrealistic, it’s about logging what you “can” track. For instance, maybe it’s a new holiday dish you’re making, you’re eating out, or simply trying your best to string a few good days to start the week right. Whatever place logging has for you, there’s no doubt it can help inject more confidence, empowerment, and momentum forward to close the year on YOUR terms.
Now, try giving this all a go and make it your own!
Comment down below if you have questions or comments, and if you need more hands on help reach out to the MaxFitHealth team today by connecting with a coach. Tap HERE!
Until next time, be well!