It happens to everyone – especially this time of year. Too many parties, too many drinks, too much food, too many sweets…..all so delicious, and all just TOO MUCH.
Life is about balance, and joy, and sometimes that means indulging in a little bit too much. Knowing how to bounce back efficiently is not just a tool for immediate physical recovery, it is a tool that will allow you to have more flexibility and balance and resiliency in your life. If you know how to effectively get back on your lifestyle wagon, it makes jumping off it once in a while much less scary.
A few days of eating like crap can throw even the spryest healthiest person into a downward spiral of bloat, lethargy, and just general UGHHHHH. As we all know, building healthy habits takes FOREVER, but breaking them….that’s another story. That can happen in just a day or two.
3 Tips for Getting Back on Your Wagon
1. HYDRATE. HYDRATE. HYDRATE. Did we say that enough times? HYDRATE.
Super-hydrate in the morning. It will help ensure that you get enough ounces of fluid in you for the day. First thing in the morning, even before your coffee or tea, chug a Liter of water. Just do it. Chug-a-lug. If your overindulgence included alcohol, it doesn’t hurt to add some electrolytes into your morning water. There are a lot of products out there for this right now, here are a few of my faves: Emergen-C Electro Mix & LyteShow Electrolyte Concentrate.
Once you have gotten your morning hydration-blast in, commit to consuming a couple more liters of water over the course of the day. Do whatever you need to do to make this happen. Make your water fun & pretty. Need some ideas? Revisit this Infused Water Article from Yogis in the Kitchen.
2. SWEAT IT OUT.
We know you don’t want to. And it probably isn’t going to feel great. Pretty much guaranteed that it is not going to be the best workout of your life, but GO ANYWAY. Be gentle with yourself. Don’t expect maximum output, but go and MOVE YOUR BODY. Suffer through. Know it is going to suck, and just get to the other side. (Hint. Hint. Here is our Class Schedule. Pre-register for a class. Your body will thank you later.)
3. PACK YOUR LUNCH (and your snacks).
Weekday food prep will save you. Eating at restaurants, even when you are trying to make healthy choices, exposes you to added salt, fat, & temptation (bread baskets?!?!?) that are unnecessary – especially this time of year. Save your indulgences for the parties and social gathering that make the holidays AWESOME!
Don’t forget to pack a couple (at least two) healthy snacks. Personally, I like to make sure that these snacks are nutrient dense, savory, and have some healthy fats in them. These are especially important mid-afternoon when your energy and attention start to wane. Here are a few ideas from Yogis in the Kitchen: Energy Bites & Pre & Post Yoga Snacks.
So, ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY SEASON. Eat the food. Drink the drinks. Share the cheer. Participate in the special holiday activities, social events, & parties that make your soul feel good. And then keep getting back on your wagon and do the things that make your body feel good. Happy Holidays Funky Buddhas!! <3
