Indulging in food & drink at Christmas
Food, mood, and exercise over the holidays are often not conscious or careful considerations. Let’s face it. During the holidays, we often over-indulge on food and drink. And we may spend more time doing that than getting enough exercise. But it’s the holiday right?
That rum and eggnog is oh so delicious! So are those Turtles, the shortbread, the Christmas pudding. And what about the stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce? Not to mention the number of parties you’re obliged to attend that have appetizers, wine, beer, and other treats to consume. It seems like the whole month is meant for eating! Yahoo!
“I’m only going to have that cookie and that chocolate…after this next one.”
“I know it’s not good for me, but I don’t want to be rude.”
“It’s nice to have a glass of wine or two with friends.”
“If I keep drinking rum and eggnog I probably won’t be able to get up early to work, exercise, or ________ but it’s only one time…probably.”
“Tis the season to be merry! Can you please pass me that plate of goodies?”
As one holiday snack and meal roll (literally) into the next, our waistlines can start to grow as our motivation for exercise starts to drop. Whose got time for exercise anyways right?
The holidays are meant for eating, drinking, and being merry! That’s what everyone says! That’s what everyone does!
Not to throw cold water on that probably well-deserved sense of entitlement, I’d like to invite you to think about the impact all these festivities can have on your mood. We know that diet, alcohol consumption, and exercise all impact your mood—for better or worse.
For many, the holidays bring with them all sorts of expectations about family, gift giving, and socializing, Depending on your background, that can be a mixed bag—a blessing, a curse, or a mixture of both.
Add in the assault of our gastronomic indulgences and we can create quite a stew!
Even during the holidays, it’s a good idea to think about what you’re ingesting and how it’s making you feel. If you know you’re going to get a gut-ache from too much dinner, be mindful about eating less. If you know you tend to feel grumpy, guilty, or sluggish the day after eating or drinking too much or eating and drinking the wrong kinds of food, then be mindful the next time about making a different choice. How would you rather feel?
Consider what your diet has been like when you’re feeling irritable, guilty, sluggish, down, or downright depressed. What could you do, even in the smallest of ways, to improve your diet? What could you do to cut down on the amount of alcohol you’re drinking?
What about exercise? What could you do to make sure you’re exercising, even in the smallest of ways? Can you walk to and from that next party? Can you work out at least some of the time during the week? Can you try to dance more than you’re eating or drinking?
The way you feel is impacted by what you put in your body and how much your move it. Over the holidays it can be easy to forget that. But being mindful of what you eat and drink and how much exercise you’re getting can make a difference in how much your really feel like being merry or how much you start feeling like the Grinch. Do Cindy Lou Who a favor and take care of yourself! Have a joyful and fit holiday season!
