How To Be The Biggest Loser at Holiday Parties
Staying healthy over the holidays is super hard, as I’m sure you were reminded during this long weekend. Whether you simply neglected to work out as much as you usually do or you downed an entire pie at your Thanksgiving dinner, I’m guessing things didn’t go entirely according to plan.
They certainly didn’t for me.
While I set out with the best of intentions — working out on Thursday and Friday and bringing a healthy side dish to our Thanksgiving dinner — by Saturday night, I was itching to join in the indulgent festivities and had more than my fair share of champagne and brie during a reunion with out-of-town friends.
The thing is, it’s so hard to stay healthy when it’s not just one evening of celebration, it’s an entire month full of alcohol and appetizer-fueled events!
So today, I’m turning to one of the top trainer’s in the world, The Biggest Loser Australia’s Michelle Bridges, to find out what you can do to stay healthy without being a hermit during this social season.
Michelle is the “Jillian Michaels of Australia,” having helped knock 1.7 million pounds off of the Australian waistline. Now, she’s bringing her 12-Week Body Transformation program to the U.S.
I sat down with Michelle recently and she shared with me all her secrets to staying slim during the holiday season. Some of them make some pretty snappy catchphrases!
Michelle Bridge’s Healthy Holiday Tips:
- Get your workout out of the way early.
If you have a house full of relatives during the holidays, get your training done before everyone wakes up. Go for a run while everyone is still in bed. That way you won’t end up skipping it later, when the demands of the day begin.
- Be selective with your social calender.
With calorie heavy drinks, holiday parties are diet landmines. Pick your parties wisely. You don’t have to go to every single event you’re invited to. For the ones you do go to, decide in advance which you will drink at and which you won’t drink at. Need an excuse to turn down bubbly? Be the designated driver!
- “If you do the crime, you gotta do the time.”
When you do drink, take responsibility for it and don’t skip out on your workout. “If you wake up with a hangover, you still gotta hit the gym,” says Bridges. “I’ve had some of my best workouts on the back of a moderate hangover.” Try planning your workout the night in advance too. If you know you have to work out early in the morning, you’re less likely to overindulge the night before.
- Go easy on the desserts.
Just because it’s a special occasion, doesn’t mean you need to have to have dessert every single night. Treat yourself occasionally, but not at every holiday event. When you do indulge, enjoy it. That will help you from developing a “last meal mentality.” Also, share dessert with a friend, it will save you half the calories!
- Never go out starving.
I’m sure you’ve heard this one before, but you probably need to be reminded. If you go to a party hungry, you’re going to go crazy on the appetizers. Have a small, healthy snack beforehand to prevent yourself from hoovering an entire bowl of mixed nuts. This applies to dinner too. While you don’t want to spoil your dinner, you also don’t want to end up ravaging the bread basket the minute you get to the table. So, eat a banana before you leave the house if your stomach is already growling.
- “Summer bodies are made in winter.”
I saved my favorite tip for last :) Don’t let all the comfy, baggy holiday sweaters put you in a lackadaisical mindset. A lot of people think, “Oh, I can just take it easy over the holidays, enjoy myself, and focus on my fitness goals after New Years.” Do you really want 15 more pounds to deal with after New Years? I didn’t think so.
My two cents: You shouldn’t be “dieting” certain times of the year and binging during others. Consider your healthy eating as a “life plan” instead of a “diet.” Keep your eye on the prize all year round!
I hope these tips help you have a fun, social holiday season that doesn’t derail your healthy lifestyle.
GiGi Eats Celebrities says:
My eyes are DEFINITELY bigger than my stomach! LOL! Oh hello portion distortion, how lovely for you to join me… Every day of my life! But hey, at least if I do the “crime” I do the time! LOL!
Whitney English says:
Oh I know you do!
Bethann Wagner says:
Looks like a fun time! I’m all for a healthy “life plan” vs. dieting too. Unless there is Ben and Jerry’s. Then I am all about Phish Food (in moderation…kinda).
Whitney English says:
The words Phish food and moderation are not compatible in my vocabulary :)
Lindsey D says:
I totally agree on getting your workout in before the festivities. Vacation time is some of the only time I can squeeze in a full workout. Something I need to do more of :)
Whitney English says:
Yeah, if I wait till later in the day, I’ll likely get pulled into a shopping excursion with my mom or happy hour with girlfriends!
Kristina @ Damn Ten Pounds says:
Brie and Bubbly would be my demise too! I’m kind of impressed you held out til Saturday. I usually eat an apple before I go to any dinner parties. Also, I am selective with desserts. I’ll pass on something I’ve had before since I already know what it tastes like ;)
Whitney English says:
That’s a good tip with the desserts! Except sometimes knowing how good something tastes makes me want it even more. I feel like I’m a little better at avoiding things I haven’t tried and convincing myself they aren’t very good, haha!
Jody - Fit at 56 says:
I kinda do the same thing all year round.. I always decide what is worth it to me – has to be a 9 or 10 out of 10.. I am a sweets person so none of the other stuff tempts me. I choose what I want, don’t over do & move on. I also exercise all thru the holidays.. :)
Whitney English says:
Well your method clearly works :)
Tonya@Healthy, Fit, and Frugal says:
“Summer bodies are made in winter.” So true! I love all the advice she gave…and I’m happy that I’m already kind of doing that! Yay! BTW I live in LA too…I caught your comment in someone else’s blog and saw LA so I had to stop by. Looking forward to following your blog.
Whitney English says:
Thanks Tonya! I checked out your blog too and I’ll definitely be following you as well. I need all the financial advice I can get! Since we’re both in L.A., f you want to meet up for coffee sometime email me!
Tonya@Healthy, Fit, and Frugal says:
Thanks Whitney! I totally forgot to use my other blog’s name, Healthy, Fit, and sent you to my other site Budget and the Beach! I have two so space out sometimes and forget. :) I love to meet other fellow bloggers though so sure that sounds great. My email is budgetandthebeach@hotmail.com.
Redactle says:
I second the motion that you get your exercise done before the party. The only time I have to get in a complete exercise is when I’m on vacation. An activity I should engage in more frequently