Staying on Track During the Silly Season
December is here and Christmas is fast approaching. But don't worry if you're discovering this article outside of December - the tips I am about to share are helpful for any busy or stressful period in your life.
So my friend. Before we start, I have a key message I really want to emphasise here. You don’t need to wait until January before you take action with your health, nor do you need to throw everything out the window because it’s the silly season. You also don’t need to deprive yourself. Here's how to navigate this festive period while maintaining your health goals without being too neurotic about it.
Maintain Your Regular Routine
One of the biggest mistakes I see is people throwing their usual routine out the window come December. Try to keep your normal breakfast and lunch habits, especially on days when you have evening events. Don't fall into the trap of "saving calories" for later - this usually leads to overeating and poor food choices when you're hungry and surrounded by temptation. Also calorie counting is bullsh*t. There are better ways to release weight than calorie counting so don’t do that ok. Make sure you are fuelling your body with nutrient dense food where you can and stay hydrated. Even in December I tend to follow my Metabolic Balance plan most of the time and when I am out, I choose foods that I know I will really enjoy. I am already well fed which makes my choices feel much better.
Focus on Two Main Meals
If you know you have an evening event, keep your other meals protein-focused and include plenty of vegetables. This helps maintain stable blood sugar and keeps you satisfied without feeling overly full. Remember, you can still enjoy yourself at events without arriving starving. This is the key. Don’t go to the event starving. Most mornings I have this mango lassi which keeps me full until lunch. I then have a protein rich and balanced lunch. I drink 2L of water and I only have one coffee a day.
Be Strategic at Events
Before loading up your plate, take a moment to survey all the food options. Start with protein and vegetables, then add small portions of other dishes you really want to try. Fried food is a friend to no one, so if you can avoid this. Position yourself away from the snack table for mindless grazing, and remember - you don't need to try everything just because it's there. If you are following the other tips than it should be much easier to do this.
Mindful Drinking
If you choose to drink, be smart about it. Alternate between alcoholic drinks and sparkling water, and opt for lower-sugar options like dry wines or spirits with soda. Avoid sugary cocktails where possible, and stay hydrated throughout the event. Remember, no one ever regrets drinking more water. Also, you don’t have to drink alcohol if you don’t want to. I gave it up years ago and I am so so happy I did. Being drunk and then hungover doesn’t look good on anyone. Alcohol can also stop you from having fun and can leave you feeling pretty sh*t the next day. We have all had a case of the “what did I say/do last night anxiety. Being mindful of how much you drink stops this. Of course if you want to drink go for it, just ask yourself if you really want that glass of champagne or are you doing it because society tells you thats what you should do. If you need support around this, let me know.
The 80/20 Approach
This is crucial during the festive season. Maintain your healthy habits 80% of the time, allowing yourself to truly enjoy yourself when you are out and about. Don't think of December as "holiday mode" - it's just regular life with some extra celebrations thrown in. Here is a real life example of this. The other night I went out for dinner to a restaurant on the mountain where I live. The food is delicious and all sourced within 20km. They have the most delicious garlic bread. Made on sourdough bread with house cultured butter, pecorino, fried garlic and garlic chives. It’s delicious. I ate a piece of this and practically licked the plate. They also have the most mouth watering risotto. This dish is really rich and very decadent. We ordered it to share with all the yummy veggies on offer and I enjoyed every single mouthful on my plate. I didn’t go into the meal hungry or deprived and during the day I’d made sure to eat my normal protein rich and well balanced breakfast and lunch. This meant when I was out for dinner I arrived ready to eat but not starving. I was able to eat to satiety and I listened to my body. I opted not to have dessert because I didn’t feel like it. I didn’t order it for the sake of it. This is balance to me. Listening to my body and sticking to regular routine so I can really enjoy food when I’m out.
Keep Moving
Movement doesn't need to be perfect, but maintaining some form of regular activity helps both physically and mentally. A morning walk before events, some simple stretches, or a quick workout - anything is better than nothing. Plus, keeping up some movement routine makes it easier to return to regular habits in January. I LOVE running and yoga so I make sure I keep it up even on Christmas day. Exercise is magic. You don’t have to spend hours at the gym, just move your body each day and you will thank me later. Also, back to blood sugar. A quick and easy win with this is to go for a short walk after meals. Even just 10-15 minutes of light walking can help regulate blood sugar levels, improve digestion, and reduce that sluggish post-meal feeling. It's such a simple habit but has a big impact on your overall health, especially during the festive season when meals are often heavier than usual. Plus, it’s a great way to clear your mind and enjoy some fresh air.
Prioritise Sleep
With all the events, late nights, and endless to-do lists, sleep can easily get messed up. Try not to let this be the case ok? Prioritising quality sleep is one of the best things you can do for your health. Poor sleep affects your energy, mood, cravings, and decision-making, making it harder to stick to healthy habits. Continue to aim for 7-8 hours most nights and create a calming bedtime routine. Stay off social media at night, read a book and keep the lights low. Try putting your legs up the wall for a few minutes while you focus on your breath— all of these things will help you to wind down especially if you are all amped up after being out. If you have had a few drinks make sure you drink two big glasses of water before bed to help with hydration. December doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice yourself at the alter for all things Christmas celebrations. Keep prioritising sleep and you will be happy you did. Side note on this. Of course there are going to be some late nights. Combat these by making sure you have a healthy and delicious breakfast prepared for the next day. When you get up, please drink 500ml of water and make sure you eat your breakfast before you drink a coffee. This will help trust me.
Plan Ahead
If you know you have a busy week or back-to-back events, plan ahead to keep things balanced. Prep some healthy meals or snacks to have on hand, like boiled eggs, veggie sticks, or a handful of nuts. This way, you're less likely to grab something sugary or processed when you're in a rush. It doesn’t have to be complex or too involved, just have a think about your favourite go to breakfasts and lunches and be prepared.
Give Yourself Grace
This time of year can be chaotic, and it’s okay if you don’t get everything “perfect.” If you miss a workout, indulge more than you planned, or stay out late at an event, don't beat yourself up. Just focus on your next choice. Balance isn’t about being perfect every moment; it’s about making intentional choices most of the time. I like to tell my clients - there is always tomorrow. If today didn’t go to plan don’t stress. Just get back to doing the things you know work for you tomorrow. Don’t be a big meany to yourself. You deserve better than that.
Stay Connected to What Matters
Finally, remember what the festive season is truly about—connection, joy, and creating memories. Don't let health goals take away from your ability to enjoy time with loved ones. Instead, let them support you in feeling your best so you can show up fully. Honestly, there is so much more to life than being perfect, even with your health. Perfection does not exist. You will never achieve it. You don’t need to starve yourself to be able to enjoy a beautiful meal out with your friends and you don’t need to “earn” your Christmas pudding with a workout. You are allowed to enjoy food. It just takes balance and some mindfulness.
So my friend, keep these tips in mind, and you'll be able to navigate the festive season with ease, enjoying all it has to offer while staying true to your health goals.
And because I feel like this is really important I am going to say it again- please please please remember, the goal isn't to be perfect - it's to enjoy the season. Focus on maintaining rather than restricting, and you'll start 2025 feeling energised rather than playing catch-up.
If you are keep to work with me in the new year I welcome you to book in a FREE 15 minute discovery call so we can have a chat about whether seeing a naturopath is right for you. You can book a call HERE.