Atlantic Ave Magazine November 2019

health & beauty | body beautiful
By ashley sica-de souza
Makin’ It Through The Holidays
It’s only November but before you know
it our schedules will be filled with holiday
parties, Christmas cookies and egg nog!
(Does anyone really drink that anyway!)
The holidays are an awesome time of year but between all the
gatherings, traveling, celebrations etc... it’s also a time when
fitness habits and clean eating dies hard. This year commit
to keeping things under control beforehand so you’re not kicking
yourself when January rolls around. To make sure you’re on the
right track, let’s look at some important components to keeping it
together this holiday season.
1. Plan before you eat!
You’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it again: nutrition is everything.
This is what will make or break you through the holidays.
No matter how many hours are spent working out, if your nutrition
is a mess you won’t stand a chance. The best advice is to plan
the week ahead and decide where you would like to splurge. For
example, don’t blow your eating Tuesday night at home when you
know you have holiday parties coming up on Friday and Saturday.
Choose wisely. Before you go out eat a small amount of
protein so you’re not starving and setting yourself
up for failure before you even get there. We
all know how easy it is to make bad food
choices when you’re starving!
2. Practice Mindful Eating!
People are often rushed and go
through the holiday season, rushing
from one thing to the next which frequently
leads to mindless eating (tasting every
cookie you bake) and/or multitasking during
meals. Studies show that those who eat
while distracted are more likely to overeat.
This is because we’re unable to pay attention
to our body’s fullness signals. No surprise,
right! Take the time to sit and eat a meal
with as little distractions as possible. Easier said
than done but give it a shot!
3. Move Every Day!
And no, running through the mall holiday shopping
doesn’t count! Since the holidays are such a
busy time, it might be not be realistic to get all of your
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normal workouts in. Aim to move and sweat EVERY single day!
Even if it’s only 10 minutes at home. Doing some kind of movement
each day will keep your routine of working out and it will set up
your day for making healthier choices. Invest in dumbbells and
bands and follow a good home routine if need be. Remember that
something is always better than nothing.
4. Be held Accountable!
Things can go downhill if you have
no one to answer to but yourself. If
you happen to be the only person
in your family or group
of friends interested in
keeping on track this
holiday season, find
someone who is! Buddy
up and hold each other accountable!
Make a plan together
and stick to it!
5. Don’t Stress!
My last and probably most
important piece of advice is
to not beat yourself up. During
the holidays and it’s almost inevitable
– there is just going to be
more of everything! Stressing out
over indulgence is not worth the
energy. If you find yourself falling
off track more than you would like
just remember you are only one
clean meal or workout away from
feeling good again. Pick yourself
back up, dust off and move forward.
COPYRIGHTED
Ashley Sica Fitness
Transformation Studio
7400 N. Federal Highway,
Boca Raton, FL 33487
561-445-7445
Ashleysica@gmail.com