It’s the first snow fall and almost immediately Christmas songs pop into your head, the jingle bells don’t leave you alone until you’ve belted out at least one verse. They’re tunes of peace, joy and harmony, but sometimes the bells get a little too loud.
Suddenly, your entire routine flips upside down and you’re baking sugar cookies at 2 a.m., eating the dough instead of salad for supper, all the while stressed about running into your ex tomorrow at that Christmas party you got invited to—you know they’ll be there. It’s all so stressful. For Maddi Crane, a second-year university student, even lying on a beach in Mexico can bring panic.
One of Crane’s biggest worries is the way her body looks, since her family usually ends up going somewhere warm for Christmas.
“Of course, there’s always pictures,” Crane says. “Suddenly you’re not having to look good just for your family, but for all their Facebook friends. There’s no way to hide anymore if you don’t feel confident in yourself.”
Psychotherapist Andria Robins says that the holidays can amplify body image issues because of the pressures people feel during this time of the year.
To find a balance, Robins suggests giving yourself permission to say no; you don’t have to attend every holiday gathering. Finding the balance between “me-time” and social-outings can go a long way. Having a support group or person that you can talk to and express any feelings to instead of bottling them up is also important.
Robins suggests practicing meditation and breathing exercises. Slowing down the rush around you and taking some time to clear your mind will enable better decision making.
Healthy eating gets bumped during the holidays, and you can’t blame yourself, being constantly surrounded by delicious comfort foods and deserts will do that to anyone.
Goodlife fitness manager Will Nass says “December is one of our slowest months.” Nass adds that “people are getting into the Christmas spirit of indulgence…if you eat heavy, then why try and get a good body?” January is their busiest time of the year at the gym. Nass says that it’s due to New Year’s resolutions and perhaps a little something to do with all that holiday eating people do over the month of December.
Registered Dietician Helene Charlebois says that Christmas parties are beginning sooner than ever, some as early as November. So, let’s practice – the Christmas season is here, and you have X amount of holiday dinner parties to attend. Let me walk you through what to do to avoid overeating to the point of nausea, and to not letting the stress of the holidays become too much.
Before the party
For those who tend to eat too much over the holidays, Charlebois says never go to a dinner party starving. She recommends drinking tomato juice, having a bowl of vegetable soup, or eating some oatmeal before attending the dinner. Having this will “fill the void” and not leave you feeling neither full nor hungry when you go up to fill your plate. Stretchy pants are not allowed! Sorry everyone, but Charlebois says that wearing “stretchy pants” gives you permission to overeat. Instead, wear a belt or an outfit that is figure-hugging, so you can notice when you’re starting to eat more than you need.
At the party
The saying “we eat with our eyes” is completely true. When we use a larger plate, our tendency is to fill the plate and eat it. Charlebois says to choose a smaller plate when trying to avoid overeating.
When loading up your plate, she says to go for the veggies first, the protein second, and starch last. The same applies when facing the dessert table – choose the lowest calorie dessert first – which is fruit, then continue on from there.
Another tip Charlebois says is to “keep something in your hands,” because you are less likely to munch on snacks that you don’t need to eat. Having a drink, a napkin, a business card, or a even a sprig of mistletoe.
The last may even lead to something better than overeating.
Although maintaining a healthy diet during the holidays is important, don’t let the stress overwhelm you. Making it the centre focus of your holidays can steal the fun away from what you really should be focusing on – friends and family – and can actually make sticking to your goals harder. A little indulgence is OK. The holidays is celebrating a year well lived and looking forward to what the next has in store.
