As the festive season approaches, eating unhealthy food seems inevitable. A report by
StudyFinds notes how Americans were expected to gain up to eight pounds (3.5
kilograms) in 2021, significantly more than in previous years. But despite this
potential weight gain, 90% of Americans aren’t concerned about maintaining a
healthy diet this season. The 2022 holidays are right around the corner, but it doesn’t
mean you have to sacrifice your body health for the upcoming celebration.
In this article, we’ll visit four ways to prepare your body for the festive season so you
can stay healthy and look your best.

Make exercise a priority

It can be challenging to squeeze in a workout this busy season, so by setting exercise
as a priority, you can ensure you get some physical activity within your week. As
shared in our post “Fitness Journey and Update 2020 – 2021”, exercise has helped us
meet two health goals— weight loss and becoming healthy and fit— which is the perfect
preparation for the holidays. We highly recommend joining group fitness classes that
involve music, as the upbeat positive instructors and high energy surrounded by others
can drive you to stay consistent with exercise. Regular exercise can rid your body of
fatigue and build up your physical strength and fitness.

Eat more nutritiously

As mentioned, many are concerned about weight gain during the holidays, so they take on diets. However, they often restrict themselves from “unhealthy” foods they
love, leading to binge eating soon after. Rather than leaving yourself unfulfilled
during earlier celebrations, you can eat healthier by choosing more nutritious options.
For those subscribed to  WeightWatchers’ weight loss plans , you’ll know that users are
following a flexible system where no food or event is off-limits. The program looks
beyond calories and focuses on a food’s nutritional value, highlighting how it’s
essential to balance eating consciously yet still enjoy your favorite foods. Some
nutritious food options include meals with more fiber and protein. If you’re trying to supplement your protein levels, that’s where a protein powder can come in handy. But there are some protein powders that women find more suitable, due to less bloating, being leaner/less calories etc.”

Drink plenty of water

The holiday season can make it tempting to go all out on different flavored drinks.
While it’s fine to enjoy these drinks in moderation, it’s crucial that you still drink
plenty of water. A study on adult dehydration by StatPearls found that most
Americans overlook the effects of dehydration, especially in the elderly. Without
proper hydration, you may experience symptoms like fatigue, headaches, dizziness,
and palpitations, all of which you would want to avoid during celebrations. By
drinking ample water, you can hydrate your body and your skin, helping you
overcome the skin dryness that comes with colder weather and allowing you to look
great in photos. Moreover, if you want to take your hydration to the next level, consider trying IV therapy in St Louis. IV therapy delivers vitamins, minerals, and hydration directly into your bloodstream, providing quicker and more effective results than oral supplements or drinking water alone. 

Get plenty of sleep

While staying up late at night is a standard part of Christmas or New Year
celebrations, you should get plenty of sleep on other days leading up to the event.
Sleep can help your body rest and reenergize, strengthening your immune system and
preventing you from falling ill. If you have stressful days that prevent you from
getting a good night’s rest, you can practice a mindfulness routine to help you relax.
Simple activities like avoiding digital devices, taking a hot shower, drinking herbal
tea, or reading a book can be a great way to make yourself sleepy. Through ample
rest, you can better face the festivities ahead.

The holidays can be delightful but exhausting. By prepping your body beforehand
with healthy habits, you can give yourself the boost of energy needed to enjoy all the
holiday parties and activities.

Primary Care House Calls

 Sleep specialists can treat and diagnose sleep disorders. You can check your hormones and overall health condition as well to ensure they are healthy. If you feel bad, you can visit your doctor or you can even use primary care house calls to invite a doctor to your home for a checkup.

This blog post was contributed by: Vanessa Tomlinson

Let’s Chat

Which of these recommendations will you incorporate into the holiday season? Do you have any additional strategies you’d add to this list? Leave us a comment! We’d love to hear from you. Thanks in advance!

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