Bounce Back with Healthy Fuel

With Thanksgiving in the rear view mirror, we now turn our attention to December and all that it brings.  Staying focused on your routine and keeping your schedule as normal as possible are great ways to approach this busy time.

Start the day off right with a healthy breakfast so that your body and mind are prepared for more good things to come.  Fuel the day with protein, healthy carbs and a healthy fat.  This will give you energy to do your work plus a little boost in case  someone walks in with donuts.  Speaking of those unexpected treats... decide if and when you are going to indulge, and then enjoy.  Every treat that comes your way, however, is not yours.  Some of this "found food" is worthy of you, while some is simply not.

Drink lots of water no matter the weather.  Staying hydrated so that your body works better is critical.  At home, set up a nice pitcher of spa water on your kitchen counter.  Every time you see it, take another drink.  You can add peeled cucumber and limes or lemons and oranges or mint leaves and cucumber--whatever you like.  It's fun to look at.  It's a twist on regular water.  It can remind you to drink more water.

Plan ahead for parties and pot lucks.  Decide in advance which parties are worth eating at.  This week I have three Christmas parties in a row.  Two of these parties I have been to before, and while they have great holiday foods at both, I can easily eat before I go and have seltzer water when I am there.  The other party--that's at a hotel with fun programming and a dessert reception and... I don't know what else, but that's where I am planning to try some new things.  As for pot lucks, if you don't have to go, then maybe you skip.  Not every gathering may be worthy of your time and effort.  In that case, bypass the pot luck/bad luck buffet and eat as you normally would.

Keep your activity going.  If you take a regular yoga class or walk with a friend, don't stop now.  Your body and mind will thank you for these precious breaks. 

Stocking the refrigerator with healthy foods, lots of cut up fruits and vegetables that are grab and go will help keep you on track.  Heavy holiday foods interfere with your digestion, energy and motivation.  Bounce back by eating your regular foods. 

Staying focused and on track is a challenge oftentimes, and at holiday time, the struggle is real.  You can be stronger than the struggle.  You can decide that even if today didn't go as well as you would have liked, you will bounce back by doing the next right thing.  The power is in the doing.  The power is in you.