Don’t just ‘get through’ the holidays…Actually ENJOY THEM! The holidays have become synonymous with dieting, ‘staying on track’, and keeping off weight. Well it’s time to get back to what the true reasons for the season are: family, fun, togetherness, and giving.
How To ‘Get Through’ The Holidays!
Make It Through The Holidays Without Gaining Weight!
How To Stop The Holidays From Sabotaging Your Diet!
Stay On Track This Holiday Season with These Easy Tips!
Stave Off Holiday Weight Gain With Ease!
Any of these clickbait headlines sound familiar?
Every year around this time, the internet, magazines, news programs, and even a lot of blogs are inundated with messages of ‘how to survive the holidays’. But last time I checked, the holidays weren’t a life or death, Survivor-esque challenge to get through.
To me, the holidays are something to look forward to…or at least they should be.
They’re not something to just rush or ‘get through‘! They’re a special time for family, fun, togetherness, tradition, and even FOOD. In fact, food, while an enjoyable part of the holidays, shouldn’t even be a main focus…more of just a nice byproduct of being together with your loved ones.
Unfortunately, worrying about food, diets, and weight seems to distract us year after year from the true meaning of the season. We become overwhelmed and anxious over frivolous, superficial things because of articles and ‘tip lists’ that circulate the web like clockwork starting in November October September (nowadays!).
In reality, the holidays are the worst time to try to ‘buckle down’ in terms of diet and exercise. If anything, you should just try to maintain your normal routine and do what feels right for you. Being more flexible and less strict with yourself is a good thing this time of year. Holidays can be stressful as it is. You don’t need any added pressure from the media, online fitness gurus, or just society in general telling you how you should and shouldn’t be eating, wearing, exercising, etc.
Instead of worrying about not gaining weight over the holidays, how about trying to gain insight into what has been going on in your family members lives?
Have a conversation with a cousin you haven’t seen in a while. Ask your grandparents how they enjoyed their recent trip. Sometimes we are so disconnected and distracted that we fail to see how out of touch we’ve become with one another.
Instead of stressing about overeating and portion control, think of people who do not even have enough food to be worrying about such trivial things. Consider putting your energy towards volunteering or helping out the less fortunate in your spare time!
Instead of trying to fit a workout into an already busy day, how about trying to make time for a new family tradition? Maybe it involves something active…maybe it doesn’t. Either way your family will appreciate the time you’re giving to them rather than going off on your own to workout because you’ll feel guilty otherwise.
At the end of your life what are you going to remember more about the holidays? That time you got up forced yourself to trudge through a workout on Christmas Day? How ‘good’ you were with watching your portions?
Or are you going to remember the memories you made while cooking in the kitchen with your mom, listening to stories from your grandparents’ youth, sharing a piece of pie from a recipe that’s been in your family for years, and staying up late watching a movie while munching on roasted chestnuts with your dad (something I look forward to every year!)?
I’d rather have the memories. We have our whole lives to train, eat right, and follow rules. The holidays, however, come only once a year and time is fleeting. Make the most out of them with whoever you are celebrating with and try to be kind and compassionate to yourself.
Exercise and eating right are important, but they don’t have to the focal point of these next few weeks. The holiday season in only a small part of the year. Don’t beat yourself up about not being ‘perfect’ with your diet and fitness habits. Instead, focus on living in the moment, enjoying the activities you have planned with your family, and just being mindful rather than purposely restrictive or hard on yourself.
Having a happy & healthy holiday means considering all aspects of your mind and body…not just the exterior.
Above all, I hope you truly have a nice holiday season. You deserve it.
No questions for today…just leave any thoughts that this post brings up for you in the comments!
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43 responses to “A Thought on the Holidays”
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Lots of love dear friend!:) Happy Thanksgiving! <3
Thanks Heather! Same to you!
I can not tell you how much I love this. Wow. So refreshing and much needed!! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Thank you so much! Please share if you’d like! I want this to reach as many people as possible! 🙂
What an important point! I love how you talk about the importance of focusing on what matters like great conversations.
Those headlines used to either give me that anxiety or drive me bonkers but luckily I can laugh while I happily biting the head off a gingerbread man and spending time with my family.
Thank you so much for stopping by and reading Georgie! I am with ya…give me the gingerbread and family time any day!
Wonderful sentiments. Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving and rest of the week.
Same to you Liz! Thank you so much for reading!
“I’d rather have the memories.” <— YES! 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you so much Mo!! <3
Totally feel ya! I love this post! We should enjoy this time with our families because it only comes around once a year 🙂
Yes yes yes! This time with family is so important.
Thank you for this! This is exactly how I feel this year. I’ve spent all of the last 10 Thanksgivings obsessing about what I’m eating, but I recently decided to throw away my scale and just focus on my personal fitness, and I’m already looking forward to the holidays so much more.
So so so good to hear! You’re going to have an amazing holiday because of that mindset! Enjoy, lovely!
Thanks so much for this post! Happy Thanksgiving!!
So welcome!
i think we make a big deal out of holiday and media really doesnt help. i am already not liking skinny holiday tips and whatnot. Out of 365 days, i am sure we will be just fine if we indulged for few days. I really like your tips on continuing your daily routine to the best and adjusting as needed. holidays come around once a year so its important to embrace that time with loved ones making memories and truly enjoying things we love. enjoyed your posts 🙂
Thank you so much Dixya!! I am so thankful you stopped by and took the time to read it!
I really enjoyed this post- the holidays are about so much more than food. However, i think most of those posts are directed towards people that don’t generally live super healthy/active lives and may need more structure, etc. through the holiday season to ensure they stay healthy. Most people in the health & fitness industry probably can indulge worry-free but I think some of those posts are helpful for people just beginning their health journey!
To each there own! Even if you don’t live the healthiest lifestyle, I just don’t think the holidays are the right time to become militant about diet, weight, and restriction, ya know? Great insight though and thank you for sharing!!
Hi Kaila what a great perspective. I know that many people stress about falling off their diet and exercise program, however I agree that the holiday season is more about family and memories. You can still be careful not to undo all the good you have worked for but it shouldn’t be the overwhelming factor at this special time of year. #lifeloving linkie
Yes! It’s all about balance. I just think we deserve to cut ourselves a little slack though and not try to take on major feats of dieting/weightloss this time of year! Maintaining a status quo and approaching each celebration with an open heart and mind is key. 🙂
[…] members and really had a memorable time. Gotta love the holiday season! Make sure you read my special holiday post if you haven’t had the chance! […]
I needed this post!!! Thank you for writing this. I used to have the hardest times around the holidays, trying to eat less food for much of the time, so I could binge on the junky stuff for part of it. I find the less I stress about it, the more balance I Find with it and just enjoy it more. You’re right – it’s about enjoying the moments and making memories to last =) Beautifully written.
“Consider putting your energy towards volunteering or helping out the less fortunate in your spare time!”
YES =D
Thank you so much Kimmy! I always appreciate your sweet comments! PS: I didn’t see the pies on Vegan Fridays! 😉
I love your perspective and how encouraging you are to women in all of your posts! You’re so right that the holidays aren’t the right time to buckle down. It could be very distracting to what’s actually important and the worst thing would be to be preoccupied during the entire holiday!
I am so happy that this post resonated with you! Thank you for stopping by to read!! 🙂
I have to admit, when I saw all my friends who ran a turkey trot, I wished I had the energy to do the same. I’m so glad I read this post! I work out regularly but do feel bad when I don’t. I love how you point out the importance of making memories and not obsessing over working out. Now I have the flu and need to rest without worrying about when I can workout again, lol. Thank you for link-up with #100HappyDays. I sure hope you come back!
I am glad this post resonated with you! I will definitely be back next week!
I just wanted to let you know that I chose your post as my favorite at #100HappyDays Link-Up. You can pick up your “I’ve Been Spotlighted” button at this link tomorrow morning. http://www.cordof6.com/100-happy-days-link-up-7/
Thank you for your great post!
Thank you so so much!!
[…] material goods (Black Friday, Cyber Monday, etc.) it’s a day to remind people about what the true spirit of the of the holidays is…giving to others. Whether you can make a monetary donation or can just give a bit of your […]
I love this post! We should focus on enjoying the holidays and keeping our indulgences within reason. No need to add more stress. Thanks for sharing at My Flagstaff Home!
Jennifer
Of course! Love your link up!
[…] this is the best start to the holiday season I’ve had in years. Regrettably, the seasons of recent memory have been filled with anxiety, […]
[…] A Thought on the Holidays […]
I am still trying to lose baby weight from 5yrs ago so this does pop up from time to time as a thought/focus/potential obsession. Memories are what’s important I agree. Thanks for putting what’s important to the forefront. Happy Holidays!
Happy this resonated with you!
[…] A Thought on the Holidays […]
I remember the memories cooking with my mom too!! It can be hard not to stress but you are right, it is better to enjoy it!
You should come link up at our link up and Pin-It Party tonight that just went live.
I’ll be there!
[…] A Thought on the Holidays […]
[…] If you’re going to a party, have a little bit of everything…all your favorites! This way you won’t feel deprived and get to enjoy the holiday fun without going overboard. This time of year is so short in the grand scheme of things and it’s good to cut yourself a little slack. – Kaila Proulx […]