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Five Tips to Help Avoid Binge Eating During The Holidays
Blog | December 26, 2013
While the holidays are a fun, festive time, they can also be full of frustration and fret. Unruly relatives, mobs of ravenous shoppers in crowded malls and broken budgets often lead us down a deliciously dangerous path of binge eating. With so much going on this time of year, it’s no wonder that many try to find some bittersweet solace in that third piece of pumpkin pie. Fear not. Here’s the five tips to help avoid binge eating during the holidays and keep us focused on fitness and a healthier sense of wellbeing.
1) Don’t Eat Your Emotions – The sudden proximity of family can sometimes breed tension. Small slights can reopen old wounds, especially with loved ones.
The fact that your cranky Aunt Francis let everyone know at the Christmas dinner table that your new hairstyle wasn’t much to her liking doesn’t mean you need to sabotage your self-control and discipline. Instead of attacking that bowl of mashed potatoes to combat your unease, remind yourself of your fitness goals and resolutions and do your best to laugh it off.
2) Moderation Is Your Friend – Enjoy yourself. Have fun. Treat yourself and indulge a little. Just don’t get carried away. Be aware of the difference between treating yourself and overdoing it. Sure, having that large mocha with whipped cream while visiting your sister is perfectly fine, but having it five days in a row during the holidays is not. A treat is no longer a treat if you do it too often.
3) Drink Plenty of Water – The abundance of salty foods during the holidays makes drinking more water an imperative. Also, staying hydrated makes us less inclined to be hungry or, at least, feel hungry. Carry a bottle of water with you when shopping. It will also help fight off the overwhelming need to ‘accidentally’ stumble into your local See’s Candy only to find yourself surrounded by a formidable army of chocolates.
4) Walk It Off! – Our wellbeing can be put to the test this time of year. Walking for thirty minutes to an hour is a fantastic way to manage stress, especially after a big meal with family. Sure, you ought to laugh off your Aunt Francis and her historical lack of tact, but your brother-in-law might be another matter. He just cut you off for the umpteenth time to discuss his new phone. Gently put down the dinner fork before you stab him in the hand and take a deep breath. Rather than drowning your rage in gravy, promise yourself a nice, long, leisurely walk after dinner to cool down and unwind. You’ll thank yourself later (Presumably, your brother-in-law would as well).
5) Relax! – Don’t take the holidays too seriously and remember that most of us are in the same boat. There’s no need to make proverbial mountains out of molehills that trigger an avalanche of unintended junk food.
Happy Holidays!
XOXO
Zuzka & Jesse
P.S. If you want to workout with me any day of the week and burn the extra calories from the Holiday parties, then join the Zgym and we’ll kick butts together!! 🙂
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I am so glad I found your new site! I was a BodyRocker from a long time ago and have not found the motivation I need to get back on track. I was searching and searching for old workouts on the body rock site with you and just decided to search you instead and I found you! You are an inspiration and I look forward to my workouts.
Re-motivated, Derith xo
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Usually it’s Frances for females…but then I had an Aunt Merry once long ago… But then that was how Grandma Dot rolled. Anyway, good advice! Maybe smile when slighted and thank the person for their observation. It could be your Aunt Frances is right about the new hairdo… –Chris
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Thank you for the tips:) my weakness is all the sugary treats like fudge, cookies, peanut butter balls, and see’s candy. But with ZGYM I have been able to burn the extra calories!
Zuzka how do I know if you received my email for the contest to workout with you? I thought possibly an email in response would be sent out to those who emailed you.
Thank you for all you do. You’re amazing.
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I’m sure it was an idea from Jesse 😀
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Well . I wish i read this before the Christmass eve:-) . But yes u right anyway i usually eat more on Holydays and exactly thats what im doing walk with my dog outside, and inside on a tredmil an extra hour pluss the usual exersize soo thats how i can manage all that food not stuck on me:-)but one or two pound deff still says after the big meals and the cakes what usually i dont eat . But no worries couple days everything back to normal. Thanks Z
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thank you for making me smile!
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Great tips, Zuz!! I love all of them, especially the first two. I was around some family members that I haven’t seen in a few years and it’s always hard not to eat everything in sight!!! I did a workout almost every day during the holiday season. I usually do my CrossFit workouts in the morning and double up with your ZShred or ZWOW workouts in the afternoon! Thanks for everything Z and I hope you had a great holiday!!
-John
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I dump all the goodies in the trash December 26th, no more temptation, that’s my trick! Works like a charm.