With the holidays here, sticking to your weight loss plan, as well as managing all the activities without losing your mind, can be challenging at best. The shopping, the crowds, the back-to-back diet-derailing parties and unavoidable chats with unsavory family members. We understand how easy it is to feel not so merry at this most wonderful time of the year. So, to help keep you on track and feeling your best, we’ve come up with a few holiday weight loss tips just for you.

1. Reset your mindset.

Have you ever heard the statement, it’s all in your head? Well, often, when it comes to making lifestyle changes, that rings true. The mind can be a powerful tool, especially when it comes to losing weight. Change your focus from feeling deprived or missing out – to obtaining better health, a longer life, and more enjoyment in everyday activities. Keep in mind that making healthy choices is a way of practicing self-care, and truly caring of your body is the best gift you could ever give yourself.

2. Lower stress with daily relaxation.

Relaxation is essential to lowering stress hormones, especially during this busy time of the year. Whether you practice guided meditation, yoga, gratitude journaling, or deep breathing, make it part of your daily routine. Set aside time to reconnect with yourself and unwind from all the busy-ness of life.

Try this breathing exercise the next time you begin to feel stressed or anxious.

1. Make yourself comfortable or move to a quiet spot.
2. Close your eyes if the situation permits.
3. Place one hand on your lower abdomen, just below your belly button, and the other on your heart.
4. Inhale slowly and deeply, expanding your chest and abdomen with air.
5. Hold for 3 seconds, sending love to your heart.
6. When you exhale, let your abdomen contract while you say the number 5 in a hushed voice or in your head.
7. With every exhale, let go and relax deeper, emptying out all your stress with your breath. Relax your body and your mind completely.
8. Continue breathing in and out, counting backwards to 1. Inhaling and expanding love, exhaling and contracting, releasing all tension and negative energy.
9. Repeat as needed anytime and anywhere!

3. Celebrate people, not food.

Spending time with friends and family does not need to be associated with over eating or over indulging. Keep in mind that when you celebrate, you are celebrating the people and experiences in your life, not food. Surround yourself with positive, supportive people who encourage you and create an emotionally healthy environment in which to invest in yourself.

4. Hydrate.

Before you head to that holiday party, make sure you consume at least 3/4 of your daily water requirements. Oftentimes, we think that we’re hungry, but we’re really just thirsty. Many of the feelings associated with being hungry, such as an empty, gurgling stomach, and low energy levels, also strike when you’re running low on water.

Also, try drinking water sole, a mixture of a natural salt such as Himalayan Pink Salt and water. Natural salt helps to reduce stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline – encouraging a better night’s sleep.

5. Come prepared.

Heading to a holiday gathering and wondering if there will be anything you can eat that won’t send you into a frenzy? Bring a healthy dish you love and put that on your plate first! Your body, and the host will appreciate the gesture. What if you’re in a hurry with no time to prepare a dish? Think protein, veggies and healthy fats. These foods will keep you feeling full and your blood sugar stabilized. If all else fails and there simply aren’t any healthy options, just do the best you can and don’t beat yourself up.

Another tip is to have a small healthy snack right before the event. It can be tempting to think, “I’ll just cut back today so I can eat more tonight.” But that often leaves you ravenous upon arrival and could ultimately backfire.

6. Choose restaurants that are better suited for your needs.

When meeting friends or family out to dinner, suggest a restaurant that is more likely to have healthier options. If you’re trying to back on carbs, choose places that serve steak, seafood and chicken, instead of just sandwiches. With a little creativity and the waiters help, it is possible to make any restaurant suit your exact needs. Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask questions.

7. Prioritize indulgences.

Let’s face it, sticking to a healthy eating plan is a whole lot easier when temptations aren’t staring you in the face, or when someone isn’t over your shoulder saying, “Go on, that (insert sugary treat) won’t hurt you!” The truth is, it might, especially if you over do it. If possible, steer clear of the processed sweets and starches. Instead, choose something that is higher in fats and proteins. Think bacon wrapped seafood, or a small helping of that spinach and artichoke dip with veggies instead of crackers. And if you do choose something sweet, go for fruit dipped in dark chocolate, or something homemade with natural ingredients.

Most importantly, don’t let an indulgence here or there completely derail you or make you feel badly about yourself! Think of it as a choice, not a mess up! The most important thing is to give yourself some slack and get right back on track.

8. Combat the effects of stress, sugar and alcohol with BeSteady.

If you are planning to indulge this holiday season, or any time of year, consider trying our BeSteady. BeSteady is a unique blend of professional grade vitamins, minerals and herbs to support blood sugar levels while enhancing fat burning! BeSteady can be helpful if you are dealing with excess stress, having a hard time losing weight, or are experiencing cravings, hot flashes/night sweats, sleep issues, or mood swings. If you are on the Becoming Balanced weight loss program, BeSteady can be helpful if you are experiencing hunger, fatigue or halted weight loss.

9. Take a detox bath

Unwinding after a busy day, is essential to your hormone health. One way to do this is to take a nice relaxing bath. But not just any bath. A detox bath with Epsom salts. Epsom salt is a naturally occurring pure mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate. Since magnesium and sulfate are both readily absorbed through the skin, Epsom salt baths are an easy way to enjoy the associated health and tension relieving benefits. Among other things, magnesium is known to reduce inflammation and help muscle and nerve function. Sulfates help improve the absorption of nutrients, flush toxins, and help ease migraine headaches.

10. Cheers! Drink this not that.

It’s no secret that alcohol can have a negative impact on your hormones. But, if you choose to have a drink, or two, it’s important to know that not all alcohols are created equal. When it comes to how alcohol effects your blood sugar, your best options are clear liquors – think vodka, gin or tequila – which have a lower impact your blood sugar levels. Avoid mixing your spirits with a sugary base like juice or soda. Instead, choose seltzer or soda water. You can add flavor with lemon or lime juice or muddled berries.

11. Get a good night’s sleep.

With jam-packed schedules, countless responsibilities, and often a lot of stress, sleep issues for women are extremely common. To protect your health, keep your performance sharp, and maintain your quality of life and relationships, it’s essential to get a good night’s sleep. When we’re burning the candle at both ends, our hormones are paying for our constant busy-ness. Lack of sleep causes high cortisol, weight gain, sugar cravings, hormone imbalance, and fatigue. So, aim for 8-9 hours nightly. Start by setting a sleep schedule and stick to it. It is also important to give yourself time to wind down after a busy or stressful day. Create an easy to follow nightly relaxation routine and turn off all electronics TV, computers, and yes, even your phone an hour before bedtime. Do something that relaxes you and turns off the chatter in your head. Make a cup of herbal tea and read a book, write in a journal, or simply write down what you are grateful for.

12. Above all, love and care for yourself!

Caring for and loving and accepting yourself, just as you are right now, is by far the most precious gift you could give yourself this season. It’s easy to get so caught up in all the things you “need” to do for others that your needs often get pushed to the side. So, you wonderful thing you, make yourself, your health, and your sanity your number one priority this season! Your responsibility is first to yourself to stay healthy, then to your family. Honor that and remember It’s ok, and even healthy, to say no.

Need help losing weight and keeping it off?

If you’re having a hard time losing weight, no matter how hard you try, it’s time to take a closer look as to why. Our revolutionary weight loss program uses the power of natural hormone balancing, working with your body to correct the key hormone imbalances that could be holding you back. Not only that but our program will also help increase energy, balance moods, aid deep sleep, and help alleviate hot flashes/night sweats. For more information about our program, contact us today! Click here to find a BeBalanced Center near you!