Halloween is the start of the holiday season, which means we have a fun few months ahead of us. While it’s fun to share these holidays and traditions with friends and family, the season can also make it difficult to stay on track with your health goals.
How often do you make a mistake in your diet and exercise because the holidays get in the way? The truth is, a little discipline and advanced planning go a long way toward staying consistent with your health goals now and for the rest of the year. If you can keep track of your goals during the holidays, the rest of the year will feel much easier.
When the Halloween treats start following you, it’s time to relax and restart your efforts to get fit and lose weight. Create an action plan so you know what to do when cravings strike. An occasional treat won’t hurt, but make sure you don’t overeat because you don’t need those extra calories.
Here are a few tips to help you with your health goals this holiday season:
Stick to your regular meal plans
If you stick to your regular diet for 95% of meals, a few cheat meals won’t hinder your progress. There are two things to keep in mind during the Halloween season. First, make sure you don’t skip meals. If you’re too busy with seasonal activities and forget to eat, it’ll be harder to stay away from the treats and junk later in the day.
Next, make sure you fill your belly with healthy foods before heading out to parties. For example, if you show up at a Halloween party after eating a meal of vegetables (fiber) and meat (lean protein), you’ll feel satisfied and there won’t be much room left for the treats.
Get back on track
If you make a mistake and eat too much sugar or calories, don’t let this be the domino that keeps you on an unhealthy path for the rest of the season. Instead, recognize that you are making the choice and be proactive about getting back on track right away.
You always have a fresh start to meet your health goals every morning. Write down reminders about why you want to stay consistent and view every morning as a new opportunity to stay consistent with your goals.
Postpone Halloween planning
How often does it happen that families buy trick-or-treat candy in early October, only to have to buy a new bag at the end of the month because the first bag has already been eaten? It can be difficult to stick to your health goals when there’s always a bag of candy in sight every time you open the pantry. Buying the candy early risks opening it sooner, and a few treats can add up quickly over the course of the month.
Wait to buy your Halloween candy until a few days before the trick-or-treaters arrive. If you have any leftover candy, make sure you get it out of the house as quickly as possible so you aren’t tempted.
Don’t buy your favorites
While we’re on the subject of Halloween candy, think about the types of candy you buy for trick-or-treaters. Often the impulse is to buy your favorite treat so that you can share it with others. But this year, try changing your strategy and buying something you don’t want to eat. If it’s not your favorite candy, you’ll probably think twice before eating it because it’s not worth the calories.
If you choose to consume some of the Halloween candy, don’t eat it straight from the bag. It’s better to keep mindless eating to a minimum by choosing your portion sizes before sitting down to enjoy the treat. Another strategy is to alternate snacks with healthier snacks. For example, eat mixed nuts between bites of the fun bar to increase your satiety.
Provide alternatives
If you see sweets and treats everywhere, you can trick yourself into feeling satisfied by chewing gum or sucking on a mint. Chewing gum can help relieve your stress and trick your taste buds into thinking you’re indulging in the holidays.
Also keep healthier treats in the cupboard and refrigerator, such as jerky, raw vegetables and other fresh foods you enjoy eating.
Find an accountability buddy
If you’re struggling with self-control during the holidays, find a friend or family member who will continue to stick to their health goals this season. Having an accountability buddy is a good way to avoid mistakes because you will need to report back during your check-ins. Many people find that they think twice about eating a treat or missing a workout if they have to share their progress with an accountability partner.
Choose your priorities this holiday season and tell your accountability buddy what you’re committed to. Keep it simple so you don’t overcomplicate things. For example, your health goals might be to exercise 4 times a week and avoid processed sugars on weekdays.
Prioritize your workouts
Don’t let your fitness plan fall through the cracks! Whatever you do to celebrate the holidays, make sure you always incorporate exercise. Exercise can be as simple as taking a walk during your lunch break at work, or getting up a little earlier so you can hit the gym before your day starts.
In addition to burning calories, exercise is also an effective way to boost your energy so you can take part in all the fun Halloween activities happening this season. Plus, you’ll feel more confident about your appearance, which will make you feel better about the costume you wear to parties.
If you’re looking for a place to workout this holiday season (and beyond), join Fitness Nation today. We help you stay consistent with your health goals in a fun fitness center that has all the weights and equipment you need.