Get Back On Track after the Holidays

December 30, 2015

The holiday season is coming to an end and most of us are coming to the realization that we enjoyed ourselves with a little too much rest, relaxation…. And food! It’s easy to get into the habit of being lazy, and eating unhealthy foods, especially during the winter months. How do we get out of this “funk” and restart our healthy routines?

• Set a routine. Getting back into shape can be overwhelming. Setting a routine can force the healthy habits to take over the unhealthy habits formed throughout the holiday season. Try your best to set a reliable schedule that allows you to include healthy choices and physical activity. You’d be surprised how much more you can accomplish when you plan it out in advance.

• Cut out over-eating. After the family feasts, left-over turkey binge, and eating every pie you can imagine, it’s time to get back on the wagon. Try planning out your meals, cooking them yourself if you have time, and avoiding unnecessary large proportions.

• Stay active. This does not have to mean running a marathon or going to the gym every day. Start off slow by going for a walk. It can be a short walk on your break from work, just wandering around the mall, or even a nice stroll in the park. It is recommended that you take 10,000 steps a day. (Although, many do not even come close to that.) Once you’ve conquered that, you can start to challenge yourself with other types of physical activity.

• Drink plenty of water. Drinking water has numerous benefits to your health. It aids in digestion, eliminates dehydration and fatigue, and flushes out toxins in your body. Replacing sugary drinks for water is a great way to stay healthy and help you shed a few pounds.

• Get an adequate amount of sleep. Experts recommend getting between seven and nine hours of sleep. Getting the right amount of sleep helps with appetite control and mood balance. Sleep deprivation is directly linked to over eating and weight gain. There are two hormones in your body that regulate normal feelings of hunger and fullness. When you don’t get the sleep you need, it negatively impacts those hormones, stimulating your appetite so that you want more food than normal.

Don’t be discouraged! Getting back on track after the holidays doesn’t have to be so hard. Start off slow and simple. Gradually restarting with parts of your normal, regular routine over a few days can make the transition easier and less stressful for you. Eventually, all of those challenging steps will become a healthy habit in your daily routine.