The holiday season is officially here, and with it comes a whirlwind of family gatherings, parties, endless food, and, let’s face it, a lot of stress. For many, this time of year isn’t just about celebrating, it’s about managing the emotional, physical, and mental demands that come with the season. You might feel overwhelmed trying to balance the demands of work, family, social events, and your own personal wellness goals. If you’re someone who is working hard on your health and wellness, staying on track during the holidays can feel nearly impossible.
The truth is, it’s not just about weight loss or sticking to a diet—it’s about navigating emotional triggers, family dynamics, and everything else that makes this time of year feel like a massive emotional rollercoaster.
But here’s the good news: mindset is everything. If your mindset isn’t aligned, all the healthy habits and strategies you’ve been working on can easily slip away. The holidays may throw some curveballs, but with the right mindset, you can actually thrive during this time instead of feeling trapped in the stress and chaos.
Here are a few key areas to focus on to help you stay grounded, make empowered choices, and feel good as we head into the busiest time of the year.
1. Be Aware of Emotional Eating
The holidays can stir up a lot of emotions—whether it’s stress from family dynamics, sadness from personal loss, or even joy and excitement from the season’s celebrations. Emotional eating can sneak up on you, especially when you’re feeling overwhelmed or out of control. Food often becomes a comfort, a way to soothe those emotional triggers.
The key here is awareness. Start by recognizing when you’re most likely to emotionally eat. Are you reaching for comfort foods when you’re stressed, sad, or tired? Are you using food to cope with family gatherings or difficult conversations? Or does excitement take over so you are no longer paying attention to what you are eating or drinking?
Once you’re aware of these patterns, you can start making better choices. For example, if you’re feeling stressed before an event, take a moment to breathe, pause, and reconnect with your health goals. Remind yourself that food can’t fix emotional struggles—it may feel comforting in the moment, but it won’t help you feel better in the long run.
By acknowledging your emotional triggers and bringing your wellness and self care goals to the forefront, you’re setting yourself up to make healthier choices. This small shift in mindset can help you feel empowered and in control, even during the most stressful times.
2. Move Your Body to Shift Your Energy
Here’s an unexpected but incredibly effective strategy: move your body. Physical movement can help release pent-up emotional energy and make you feel better fast. Whether it’s through dance, yoga, or a quick walk, moving your body helps shift your emotional state and makes you less likely to turn to food for comfort.
E….motions = Energy in motion. So just Move!!
I love what I call “movement medicine.” Sometimes when emotions feel overwhelming, instead of analyzing everything in your head , you can just move. Put on your favorite song and dance it out. If you’re feeling stressed or frustrated, stomp your feet and shake it off. If you’re feeling sad, try a more flowy, internal dance—allowing yourself to feel those emotions while still releasing the energy through movement. You might feel a little weird at first, but trust me, it’s incredibly powerful!
When you’re in a better emotional state, it’s easier to make choices that align with your wellness goals instead of reaching for food to soothe yourself.
3. Slow Down and Practice Mindful Eating
During the holidays, there’s always food around—snacks at family gatherings, holiday treats at work, and all those delicious spreads at social events. It’s easy to find yourself mindlessly munching, especially when you’re distracted by conversations or rushing to keep up with the holiday pace. But mindless eating often leads to overeating, leaving you feeling uncomfortably full or guilty afterward.
The solution? Mindful eating. Take a moment before eating to pause, breathe, and check in with yourself. When you’re at an event or holiday dinner, take your time with each bite. Savor the flavors, textures, and aromas of your food. By eating slowly and paying attention to the experience, you’ll actually feel more satisfied and less likely to overeat. It’s all about tuning into your body’s signals and recognizing when you’ve had enough.
Mindful eating also helps you enjoy the food more, making the experience more satisfying. Plus, it allows you to reconnect with your body and your hunger cues, helping you avoid the trap of overindulging just because there’s food available.
4. Show Yourself Some Compassion
Let’s be real over the holidays things might not always go as planned. You might indulge in foods you didn’t intend to or miss a workout. That’s okay! It’s important to show yourself some compassion. The inner critic can be a loud voice this time of year, but beating yourself up for “slips” is counterproductive. Instead of focusing on what you didn’t do, look at the positive choices you did make.
Perfection doesn’t exist, and it’s not about being perfect—it’s about doing your best and learning from your experiences. So, when things don’t go as planned, take a step back, and think about what you can learn from the situation. What worked well? What could you do differently next time? And most importantly, don’t forget to give yourself credit for the effort you’ve put in and the healthy choices you’ve made.
Self-compassion can go a long way in reducing stress and guilt, allowing you to enjoy the season without feeling like you’re constantly battling yourself.
5. Take Action: Join the Toast to Transformation LIVE Online Weight Loss Challenge
The holidays may feel like a constant struggle, but they don’t have to be. If you’re ready to make a shift in your mindset and take control of your health, I’ve got the perfect opportunity for you: my Toast to Transformation LIVE Online Group Weight Loss Challenge.
This New Year challenge is designed to help you clear the clutter in your relationship with food, stop the cycle of emotional eating, hit your weight loss goals and create lasting wellness habits. This challenge will give you the tools and support you need to succeed.
And here’s the best part: I’m offering a special opportunity to sign up before December 20th, and you can save up to $500! Plus, you’ll get a chance to win amazing prizes just by taking part in the challenge!
Don’t wait until January to get started on a plan—let’s make the holidays the perfect time to lay the foundation for your transformation so you can get started in the New Year.
If you’re ready to stop struggling through the holidays and want to embrace a season of health, joy, and balance, book a free 15-minute call to see if this challenge is the right fit for you. You don’t have to navigate the holidays alone—I’m here to help you every step of the way.
Let’s make this season one of transformation!