A wise man once told me that there are 3 kinds of people who go on cruises: Newlyweds, Almost Dead, and Over Fed. Boy did we see our share of each last week on our Thankscation. We were on board the Carnival Ecstasy not 10 minutes before we witness our fellow cruisers hitting the buffet hard. I guess they wanted to make sure they got their money's worth and since there were thousands of people on board maybe they were worried we'd run out of food. I know the official cause for the Costa Concordia's demise was running aground after deviating from their planned course but I think we can make a case for a few too many passengers standing on the starboard side after the midnight buffet.
The average person gains 5-10lbs both on a 5 day cruise and during the holiday season! Many of the strategies I used to stay on track during vacation will help me throughout the holidays and the never ending food celebrations that threaten to roll us into 2013. Here are my top 5 tips for enjoying a Healthy Holiday Season. Please keep in mind that healthy and fun are not mutually exclusive terms.
1. Change your Vocab!
"Cheat" feels so negative and it should because if you are not careful you will cheat yourself out of the healthy goals you have been working towards. Instead plan your INDULGENCE for the week: Plan it, enjoy it, and move on. Don't let your SPLURGE become a BINGE. You will feel sorry later and it could lead to more unhealthy decisions.
2. Control your Food ADD
Nothing can throw you into food sensory overload quite like the alluring colors and displays of a dessert buffet. Somehow during the holidays familiar and usually safe places: the break room at work, a secretary's desk, even the copy room can transform into a display of sugary treats poised to derail your willpower and resolve. There is something about the novelty of food you wouldn't buy or make yourself that makes you panic that you will be missing out on something. Don't fall into this trap! I find its best to focus on my planned indulgence and how much better I will feel after I walk away VICTORIOUSLY from the sabotage my coworkers have set up.
3. Get Up and Move
On vacation and in real life I try to move as early as possible. If I start my day with exercises no matter nothing can threaten my schedule. I know if I wait until later I can find reasons to skip it or talk myself out of it. In The Compound Effect Darren Hardy suggests bookending your days since you can't control what happens in the middle. If I plan on exercising in the morning and I prep/plan my meals for the following day in the evening I can guarantee that I am doing two things to keep me on track each day no matter where the schedule takes me.
4. Don't Drink your Calories
Pina Coladas or Hot Toddies they both pack on hundreds of extra calories you might not be accounting for. Instead, consider these drinks a dessert or skip them all together. Same things goes for the Vino. If you are actually thirsty be sure to drink water to quench your thirst and when you chose these beverages enjoy them don't wash down your cheesecake with a tiramisu martini.
5. Add these Exercises to your workouts!
These two moves have 100% effectiveness in conquering the holiday bulge! You can stick to your goals find a friend who is also committed and partner up this holiday season. Its not going to be easy but its not impossible either!
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