Holidays or weekend gathering can bring new family memories, but they also bring lots of temptation when you’re on a diet. Some people think they have to maintain a strict diet during the holiday time and avoid all the goodies on the dinner table.
If they mess up and eat a bit too much or some foods not allowed, they flush the idea of diet right out of their mind and start binging like there’s no tomorrow, giving up on a diet forever.
Just because you fell off the skinny horse a few times over the holidays or weekend gatherings, it doesn’t mean you have to give up eating healthier forever.
In fact, even if you camped out by the dessert table, you can get right back on the healthy course of eating as long as you plan ahead and use a few techniques to help you get back on track for success.
Eating healthier isn’t a diet, but a way of life and even those who love eating healthier foods often snack a bit on indulgences they wouldn’t normally have during non-holiday times.
Here are Some Tried-and-True Ways to Get Back on Track after Over Indulging:
① Flush out your system with water.
Low energy comes from a sudden dip in your blood sugar, which occurs after eating too many sugary treats, drinking alcohol or ate other energy spiking treats that soon lead to big dips and valleys.
Caffeine is a quick fix, but it also spikes your energy levels and dehydrates you. I adore my cups of coffee and keep a pot brewing during the day, but after a dietary transgression, I always turn to water to flush my system and rehydrate.
I keep a full bottle of water next to me at all times and sip it continuously throughout the day. It rejuvenates me, while also flushing my system.
② Begin the day with hot water with a bit of lemon.
You may feel sluggish and icky after eating foods you don’t normally eat, so giving your digestive system a bit of help can get your day off to a good start.
The water helps hydrate you and when mixed with the lemon juice it helps rebalance your pH level, give your immune system a boost and flush the toxins out of your body.
③ Eliminate the toxins by sweating them out in a sauna.
If you have access to a steam room or sauna, flush out those toxins in your sweat. Not only does the sauna help you do that, but it also stimulates improved circulation, while relaxing you and removing the stresses of the day. The increased circulation can help your complexion and also eliminate the puffiness under your eyes.
④ Pamper your digestive track.
You like a day or two of rest after working hard and so does your digestive tract. If you’ve eaten foods you seldom eat and overindulged, give your stomach and the rest of your digestive system a break by using a gentle cleanse.
This doesn’t require special foods, just ones that are easy to digest such as smoothies or soups, ones where there’s no need to chew, and the foods are easy to digest.
Make these yourself and pack them with an abundance of vegetables that detoxify your system. The darker leafy veggies you add to your smoothies the better. Avoid milk products and use a clear broth with plenty of garlic and onion for the soup.
⑤ Shake your booty for energy.
You don’t have to dance, even though that’s one way to get exercise, but just get moving to feel better fast. Exercise burns off harmful hormones created by stress. It helps blood to circulate and helps you sweat out toxins.
It stimulates the brain to create hormones that leave you feeling great, such as endorphins and dopamine. No matter what type of exercise you choose, it’s sure to make you feel great.
⑥ Find counterparts for your indulgences.
If you think you have to cleanse each time you eat an unhealthy food, you’ll be cleansing your life away and enjoying no part of it.
Instead, find ways to balance out the indulgence by consuming foods that will help bring more balance and healthy nutrients to your diet. Focusing on what you can have is far better than focusing on your indiscretion.
⑦ Give yourself a pass.
Sometimes you just have to let go and enjoy. Even if you’re eating super healthy and are sticking to your guns, if Aunt Mary made a special dessert just for you, it’s okay to indulge yourself once in a while without beating yourself up mentally with feelings of guilt.
Besides, it will make her feel good to know how much you enjoyed it. Just go back to healthier eating after holiday time and eliminate the guilt and drama. Backsliding is allowed periodically, as long as it’s not a permanent pattern.
