How to Stay in Shape During the Holidays

The holidays are a time full of magic vibes: family gatherings, beautifully laid tables, and flavours that we remember all year long. However, I know that for many of you it is also a time to wonder how to avoid throwing away your healthy habits and the effects of working on your fitness. I know how it is! That is why I have prepared a few tips that will help you enjoy the holidays with no remorse and still stay on your healthy lifestyle track.

 

1. Start and End the Holidays according to the Calendar

Do you happen to begin the holidays a few days earlier because you’re tempted by gingerbread, herring, or other delicacies? And then you extend the celebration for yet another week. Remember that the holidays are a special time in the year, so why not start the celebrations according to the traditional timetable, which is on Christmas Eve, and finish after Christmas. That’s just enough to feel the magic and thus not extend the holiday dining throughout December.

 

2. Smart Substitutes for Holiday Dishes

At Christmas traditional dishes play a crucial part. However, if you feel like healthier versions of holiday meals or you are looking for light alternatives, I have prepared a few suggestions that will help you take care of your health without giving up your favorite flavors. These are inspirations for those who want to introduce something new to their menu.  Remember however that it is your holiday, so if you love a classic vegetable salad with mayonnaise and eat it only once a year, enjoy it with no remorse.

• Healthy Soups

Red borscht is a light and healthy option – but remember to avoid ready-made concentrates that are high in salt and sugar. Prepare homemade borscht with vegetable stock, fresh beets and spices. And instead of cream for mushroom soup, choose natural yogurt – it is just as creamy and much healthier.

• Light Pierogi

You can prepare classic pierogi in a baked version instead of fried. Replace white flour with whole wheat or spelt flour, which provide more fiber. This recipe is a great alternative that still tastes like traditional cuisine.

• Healthier Salads

Replace mayonnaise in salads with Greek yogurt with a bit of mustard or olive oil. You can also add more raw vegetables, which will not only reduce the calories but also enrich the dish with fiber and vitamins.

• Crispy Snacks

Opt for homemade kale chips, roasted nuts with spices or vegetable sticks with hummus instead of chips or fried snacks . It’s a healthy alternative that will definitely do the job during the holiday season.

• Lighter Desserts

Gingerbread, poppy seed cakes and cheesecakes are holiday classics that can be made healthier. Use wholemeal or almond flour, use honey, erythritol or dates instead of sugar, and add Greek yogurt to the cheesecake mixture instead of heavy cream. A fruit dessert, such as baked apples with nuts and cinnamon, is also a great choice.

 

3. Physical Activity – Even on Holidays

Staying active is the best way to maintain balance during the holidays. You don’t have to give up on any movement at all, simply choose short walks with the family, morning yoga or stretching. I love those moments when we can go out for some fresh air with our loved ones after a hearty meal. It’s not only a way to burn calories, but also to recharge with positive energy.

 

4. Control Your Portions and Listen to Your Body

Holiday dishes tempt with a wealth of flavors, but remember that it is up to us to decide how much we put on our plate. Let’s eat slowly, savoring the taste. If we learn to listen to our bodies, we will notice that less is more.

 

5. Savor the Moment – ​​Not Just the Food

Health is not only what we eat, but also how we feel. During the holidays, the most important things are relationships, closeness and the joy we get from these special moments. Let’s celebrate with a smile, without stress or remorse. The holidays are there to enjoy our lives, not worrying about counting every single calorie on our plates.

 

Christmas is an extraordinary time when the magic of moments spent with our loved ones is combined with exceptional flavors that we remember all year long. Let’s remember, however, that holidays are more than just food. They are essentially about joy, relationships, and creating beautiful memories together. Introducing a few healthy substitutes and a bit of balance will help us savor this time to the fullest, without remorse and concern for the effects of our daily work.

Health and well-being go hand in hand with the joy of life, so let’s enjoy these holiday moments consciously: with a smile, gratitude, and healthy choices.