[Without the stress, the guilt, and falling too far off your healthy routine]

Beforehand Tips:

  • Plan: It’s the holidays, so you should plan to indulge a little! If you know you have a weekend full of social events make sure to eat well and stick to a healthy routine the week before.
  • Don’t take Tip 1 to an extreme: Planning ahead does NOT mean starving yourself or going through severe calorie deprivation. This is more likely to cause stress on the body which can slow the metabolism and it will increase your likelihood of binge eating.
  • Schedule a morning workout: Put all those extra indulgences to good use! Get a good strength workout in before your party so your body will be able to use the extra calories towards muscle recovery.

 

The Next Day Tips:

  • Drink lots of water: Water is key in the digestion and the detoxification process. Water brings nutrients to our cells and it also carries wastes and toxins away from them. Water is also important for well-functioning kidneys. If the kidneys aren’t functioning well they call upon the liver to assist. This makes the liver less available to perform its own jobs: metabolizing fat and alcohol.
  • SLEEP: Getting a good night’s sleep after a night of indulging is important! It gives to body a chance to recover and increases the chance of you waking up feeling fresh and motivated to get back to your healthy routine. Adequate sleep will help to reduce junk food in the morning and it will replenish your energy levels so you feel ready to bounce back!
  • Get another little workout in: Even if its just a brisk walk or a little bit of cardio – exercise is an excellent outlet to A: put those extra calories to good use and B: Improve your mood and get you feeling motivated again.
  • DON’T STRESS: This is my last and most important point. Don’t feel anxious or guilty for enjoying time with friends and family and indulging over the holidays! Stressing out will only add to negative health effects. Plan ahead, relax, and ENJOY IT!

References:

Canadian Liver Foundation. 2016. http://www.liver.ca/liver-health/how-liver-works.aspx

Jameson, Alex. The Great American Detox Diet: 8 Weeks to weight loss and well being. Book. May 26 2005.