how to stay healthy during the holdidays

I don't know about you guys, but this time of year leads to tremendous amounts of baking, overindulging, and countless excuses not to go to the gym! Between Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas I just cannot say no to sweets. Making an effort to stay healthy during the holidays can be a challenge, but here are my best tips to keep up. Do you guys have any suggestions for me? Please comment below. 

Have Fresh Cut Fruit in the Fridge 
Around the afternoon I get the worst cravings for snacks! I have started keeping fresh cut mango, watermelon, strawberries, etc. in the fridge all ready to go. Not only do these fruits keep me feeling full, but they also prevent bloating for the rest of the day. 

Skip the Holiday Flavored Drinks 
Have you ever actually looked at the ingredients in a Pumpkin Spice Latte  or Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino? Well, I have some sad sad news... They are FULL of artificial ingredients and sweeteners. A grande sized cup has over 50 grams of sugar... Instead grab an iced coffee or tea with only one or two pumps of flavoring if you want to feel festive. 

Portion Control  
I made this absolutely delicious Pumpkin Marinara sauce this week. It was tempting to go crazy and eat the whole pot. Instead I made grilled Brussels sprouts and carrots to compliment the meal and not fill up on carbs. You can eat anything you want in moderation.

Eat Breakfast 
This might seem like common sense, but even if you are going to be eating a Thanksgiving day feast have breakfast in the morning. It will make you feel fuller and prevent you from overeating when lunchtime rolls around. My favorite breakfast to cook is peanut butter toast with banana because, it is packed with protein. 

Stick to a Workout Routine 
I usually try to workout at least 5 times a week. But during holidays when I'm traveling and finishing up finals this number begins to dwindle. To stay committed I plan my workout schedule at the start of the week. My gym offers a variety of exercise classes so I feel more motivated to stick to a schedule. 

© Copyright 2017 Rachael Maurais