7 Healthy HOLIDAY swaps

This is the time of year we tend to eat more than usual … and the foods we eat also tend to be richer and more calorie-dense than normal, too.

Talk about a double whammy for your energy, digestion system, and (yes I am going to say it) your waistline!

By all means, enjoy your “worth it” favorites this year … but you can offset those with a few healthy swaps.

7 Healthy Swaps This Holiday Season

Fresh steamed green beans instead of green bean casserole

Mashed cauliflower, squash, or sweet potatoes instead of mashed potatoes

Baked cinnamon apples topped with coconut cream instead of apple pie

Hummus instead of a cheese ball

Creamy nut or oat milk in your eggnog instead of cream

Zucchini noodles in your soup or stew instead of conventional pasta or potatoes

Medjool dates or fruit instead of holiday candy or cookies (portion sizes still matter!)

…. And my FAVORITE swap?

Go for a walk instead of crashing on the couch after you eat.

Going for a light walk (even a short one) after you eat will help reduce blood sugar and insulin levels…

And it may also help with digestion.

I hope these swaps help you feel and move better this holiday season.

It’s the little things we do every day that add up to BIG results!

What to do when you get off track

We *all* get off track sometimes.

It can happen with our nutrition… our workouts… our sleep… or any of our other healthy habits.

And before long, we start to feel the effects. We feel blah, low in energy, and like something is MISSING.

It’s because our body is thrown out of balance.

The first step towards getting your balance back isn't beating yourself up over it.

It's REALIZING that you've lost it in the first place.

Then…

Take ACTION to find your balance “mojo” ASAP.

And you do that by taking the next best healthy step you can.

How to break a nighttime snacking habit

How to break a nighttime snacking habit:

Make sure you’re not hungry from undereating during the day. If you skipped a meal or did a hard workout, your body may be asking for more fuel.

If you are actually hungry, eat a healthy snack!

If you’re not… try brewing yourself a calming cup of herbal tea. This can help you relax and it feels like a treat.

Or brush your teeth. This can send a signal to your body that you’re done eating for the day.

Still not satisfied? Get to the root cause of your snack habit! Take inventory of how you feel. Many times we snack because we are bored… stressed… lonely… or sad.

Sometimes simply acknowledging that it’s not really about the food can help.
Go to bed early. When you get enough sleep, it helps your body balance your hunger hormones.

The Journey without a destination

Raise your hand if you’ve ever treated “healthy and fit” as a destination.

By that we mean, you set a goal, make a plan, and then bring it to life.

But then once you reached the goal, you slipped back into your old habits.

You are not alone! (Shocking stat: between 80% to 95% who lose weight eventually gain it all back.)

The fact is, being “healthy & fit” is a lifestyle.

The good news about THAT is that it’s not about being PERFECT. It’s about being consistent and making it part of your regular routine.

You may have a day where you:

Indulge in an off meal

Miss a workout

Don't get enough sleep

But that doesn't mean you've failed. It just means that the next day, you’re back on track. It's about long-term habits, not short-term fixes.

Something to think about: What's one thing you're doing TODAY, to make your health a part of your lifestyle, and NOT just a goal?

Need some help getting started? Click the bio link or call/text us at 979-575-7871 to find out if one of our personal training studios is the perfect place for you!