Clean Christmas

So, Christmas is quickly approaching! Temptations are definitely going to be at an all time high! The party's and get togethers bring with them appetizers, cocktails and heavy meals. Which, in turn, brings saddle bags and muffin tops! Boy! Couldn't we all use some tips to help keep us on track this holiday season.

Tip 1: Don't neglect your workout
    Holiday time doesn't have to mean that every day is a rest day. Continue to do as you're doing, yes, it's the holidays, your schedule is going to look differently that any other time of year. So, plan for it,, schedule your workout for a different time of the day. Get up a little earlier if you must, you'll be happy that you did!

Tip 2:  Look for healthy alternatives
    While you're having a great time at those holiday party's, you don't have to give in to the rich, fatty foods. Scope of the produce. Load up on salads or fruit and veggies. Skip the high fat dressings though and opt for a combo of balsamic vinegar and lemon. Another great idea is to bring a dish to the party of a healthy option that you can eat lots of yourself in case there are no options that you're comfortable with.

Tip 3:  Portion control
    The holidays are no excuse to eat double or more what you would normally eat. Protein should be no more than the palm of your hand, starches should be no more than a cupped handful as quick references. Then fill your plate with veggies.

Tip 4:  Don't skip meals
    Don't skip meals during the day in preparation for the event and the possibility of going off track. This only leads to overeating and making poor food choices. You could even drink your shakeology before your event to help to keep you on course.

Tip 5:  Remember that nobody's perfect
    Try your best to stick with your meal plan, but all in all, don't grow to hate clean eating because you somehow feel a sense of deprivation during holiday time. Keep at least to 90% of your meal plan if you feel the need to stray. But be very careful not to overindulge.

 

What can it do for me??? Benefits of Clean Eating

We live in a world of convenience...fast food, drive thru windows, microwave dinners. It seems as though we are too busy to actually take the time to even think about what we are putting into our body, let alone to make a home cooked, healthy meal.

Healthy eating isn't something that's part of our routine or lifestyle, it just isn't a priority. We would much prefer to eat what we want, pack on the pounds, then go on a fad diet and join a gym to try to obtain the health and weight loss goals that we strive want so badly.  Some people aren't realizing that weight loss is 70% diet, 30% exercise. Whatever you eat in private, you wear it in public! Clean eating and working out regularly has certainly helped me to achieve the results that I was looking for post-baby.

What ARE the benefits of clean eating?

Lose weight and maintain a healthy weight

- Ideal weights are achieved, not by rigorous hours at the gym, but through a diet high in vegetables, fruits, lean meats, and whole grains. You can lose as much as 20 lbs after several weeks of following a healthy diet.

Feel better

-Bottom line....you just FEEL BETTER! Your energy levels will skyrocket, your skin, hair and nails will look and behave so much better, and you will think more clearly.

Sleep better

-Eating healthy foods will also calm your nervous system and trigger a sleep-inducing hormonal response which helps you rest better at night. Getting between 7-9 hours of sleep gives your body time to establish muscle memory from a workout or project, build and repair muscle, sharpens your focus, reduces reaction time, and greatly increases energy levels upon waking.