Jess Sepel On Staying Healthy This Holiday Season

The silly season is finally here! And healthy living is not going to stop you from having the most sensational Christmas break. It’s certainly not stopping me.

Because healthy living is all about enjoying everything in moderation… Deprivation is not allowed in my books!  With that said, we still need to remember our bodies are our temple and we must treat them with the upmost respect.

Here are my 7 tips for incorporating health into the holiday season:

1. Enjoy your favourite holiday treats in moderation

Don’t deprive yourself because this is mostly likely going to end in bad news, a food binge or a very frustrated and angry version of yourself. This is not going to encourage a good relationship between you and your beautiful body. We have to learn to eat our favorite ‘naughty foods’ without the need to go overboard. And without the guilty thoughts! I usually pick ONE or TWO of my favorite healthy indulgences every week in the summer break such as an ice-cream, a pasta or a piece of carrot cake and tea. I sit with it. I eat it slowly and I only think good thoughts, like “ This is so good for my body. My body knows how to break it down”. Our bodies can handle this.

2. Continue to eat how you would normally eat

Just because this is the silly time of the year does not mean your everyday eating habits must now fly out the window. Continue with your healthy meals and snacks that you usually eat. And when it comes to a dinner party or a Christmas event, just make the healthiest choice available to you. Keeping the rest of your meals healthy will do your body lots of good. Our bodies listen to what we do most of the time, not sometimes.

3. Eat a healthy and satiating snack before you head out

This is so important. If you arrive at your party absolutely starving we all know what is likely to happen. We grab a hold of anything in sight and sadly healthy choices fly out the window at this point. If you arrive at your party with nice stable blood sugars…you are likely to make healthy food choices. So I usually eat a protein rich snack before any silly season parties- such as boiled eggs, cottage cheese with cut up veggies, Greek yoghurt with nuts and seeds, a handful of raw nuts, small salad with lean protein or a protein shake.

4. Offer to bring a healthy dish

If you’re going to a holiday party or dinner, offer to bring a healthy dish, such as a salad or a roasted veg dish so at least you know that there will be a healthy option for you to enjoy. This can provide us with piece of mind too.

5. Keep moving

Don’t give up on your exercise routine. But don’t use exercise as a way to banish your diet sins. Move because its give your energy, lifts your body and keeps you healthy.

6. Drink up

Keep up your 2l/day of water . Alcohol, in moderation. My biggest advice, is to avoid the binge drinking. Choose your favourite wine or cocktail and enjoy it. Stop when you know you must. You know when it’s enough. Drinking a glass of water between every alcoholic beverage you have is also a good idea. It keeps you hydrated and you’ll probably drink less alcohol.

7. Take care of YOU

During the holidays we tend to actually stress out more than any other time of the year…we try to please everyone else. Crazy! Take some time each day to focus on your own self.  I make sure to set aside Jess time during the holiday season. I choose to get a massage, take a walk, relax in a bubble bath, nap, practice yoga, meditate, dance, read or do something different. Something I have never done before.

Be confident your will make your healthiest choices possible and leave it at that. You are doing a good enough job!

Happy holidays!

Looking for more advice on how to stay fit and healthy this silly season? Check out Jess’ 8-week online Program here!