Guide To A Happy Holiday by Susan Harrison

How to Have a Happy Holiday:

It’s All A Matter Of Expectations.

The holidays are among us and while we all look forward to this time of the year, there’s no denying that there’s a certain dread that comes over holiday-dining and the guilt we’re left with after one too many helpings of our favorite desert (or one too many glasses of champagne at your best friend’s company party). One of the perks of being a health and wellness coach is having a great network full of professionals with new insight on nutrition and balance. Susan Harrison, of susansweats.com, is a friend and fitness expert who believes in moderation and a little disciple (ok, maybe more than just a little). Now that Christmas is around the corner she’s given her pro-tips on keeping a slim figure during the season:

I am not suggesting you skip the holidays, I am not saying to even skip the egg nog, what I am suggesting is that you change your expectations.  Just because you have done things a certain way every other year, doesn’t mean you have to keep doing them that way.  “The Holidays” are not an excuse to let all of your hard work the other 46 weeks of the year go down the drain.  They are not a license to start reverting back to an unhealthy lifestyle and run rampant on a sugar binge.  Change the way you look at the holidays, change your expectations of yourself and your behavior.  If you set a standard for yourself and try to live up to it, even if you fall short, you will have succeeded.  Have an expectation of yourself, then make a plan to help you live up to that expectation.  How?

Lets Go:

1. Keep your fitness routine set in stone.  As hard as it is, don’t start skipping bootcamp at 7am because you were out late at your office party the night before.  Look at it as an obligation.  As a work meeting. You’d show up to that meeting wouldn’t you?
2. Pick your poison.  Have the egg nog, but not the chocolate mousse too.  Don’t use that as an excuse to open the fatty floodgates.
3. Change the way you celebrate.  My friends and I always get together for Holiday drinks and dinners.  This year, I am going to suggest we do a workout either instead of or in addition to.
4. When you feel stress, go sweat.  This one is my golden rule.  Even if its just a 15 minute set of squats and mountain climbers in your basement, I promise you will feel better after you break a sweat.
5. If you fall off the plan, don’t beat yourself up! Try harder the next day.

To read more about Susan’s fitness tips visit her website.