There have been so many times that I gained so much weight over the course of
few months, and then I used to let the scale dictate my worth. The holidays were always one of the worst times of the year for that quick weight gain. I had stuck with my fitness all year, and then it would come crashing down as soon as the holidays rolled around. It all led to the annual time when January 1st rolled around, and I would embark on the annual quick fix journey to lose the weight from the holidays – right there alongside everyone else in with their New
Years resolutions.
So many times, I would start out with the best intentions for making it thru the holidays, and those intentions and plans were so restrictive! The restrictions and the white knuckling thru social events was one of the reasons I struggled throughout the holiday season or anytime of the year really. You see, the more restrictive
you are with your nutrition, the harder it is to stick with it. Also, the more restrictive the plan, the worse the binging will be when you lose control.
Don’t forget the other side of the coin - eff it, I’ll start January 1st. That has happened to so many people, myself included, too many times to count. I found myself slipping
off plan, then eventually giving up and saying “eat all the food” cause I was going to start fresh on January 1. I don’t encourage waiting or starting anything on any special day. Your health and sanity doesn’t have an expiration or start date!
There is a better way, and it starts with understanding that today is just good as any day to
start anything. A few years ago, I said nope, I’m not starting Jan. 1st, I’m starting now. I’ll just start by maintaining my weight, and I’ll make better choices every time I sit down to a meal. I also made a pact with myself that I would aim to get 3 – 4 workouts in a week.
Being in the gym less times a week and exercising for shorter
periods of time gave me my life back, because sometimes the trip to and from the gym could be upward of 2 -3 hours. I made plans and did my best to stick with it. It wasn’t perfect, there were some days I overate, and some days I only got two workouts in.
During the whole process, I had to let go of trying to be perfect. Perfection was screwing
things up. Perfection was causing me to throw my hands up in despair, and it was also ruining my enjoyment of the holidays. We’ve all been there – avoiding the parties, or leaving early so we avoid the temptation to eat or drink too much.
Instead of saying eff it and starting over next Monday or next week, I literally started right
there and then. It really is that simple.
I found that I could get just as good results with shorter, more intense workouts done in shorter periods of time. A win-win. Don’t get me wrong, longer workouts have their place, especially when I’m doing big lifts – like the squat and deadlift. During the holidays, when you’re short on time and
just don’t have the time, a 20 – 30 minute strength based circuit works great.
Perfection paralyzes us, doesn’t it? If we could just stop complicating things and do our best, we would be in great place. The guilt that we place upon ourselves when we over eat or when we miss a workout is what keeps us from winning. Have you ever
researched anything, and become paralyzed by the absolute mountain of information out there – analysis paralysis. The same thing happens with nutrition and fitness – pursuing perfection, missing good, and then giving up altogether.
Simply maintaining your weight is not a failed goal, a cop out, nor is it impossible - it’s exactly the
opposite. It’s just as much a success as being in a weight loss phase and dropping pounds. I know I got so tired of losing and gaining the same weight year after year that maintaining my weight through the holidays was a welcome change. Making it thru the holidays without any weight gain was a win.
You’ve been consistent all year long,
created healthy habits, and have your systems in place. Why throw in the towel in? It’s really not that hard to keep the momentum going through the holidays. The only thing that is holding you back is You, but it doesn’t have to be this way.
I’ve been where most folks have been, like I said earlier in the email. I have figured out the tools and
strategies to stay sane and keep my waistline in check, as well as many of my other clients. I have worked with many women over the years that have struggled with holiday weight gain. We worked together to find a moderate approach to the holidays. I can tell you this; it started with dropping the preconceived notion of perfection. It comes down to consistency and treating today or any day, any holiday, just like any other day.
The holidays do span across a few months, but you’re not going to parties every day. You’re schedule won’t be jammed packed every day and you won’t be eating holiday meals every day. So, with that said, maintaining your weight through the holidays isn’t as daunting as you may think it is. A bit of mindfulness, moderation, and some self-awareness is really all it
takes.
I also want to mention that while I am saying “maintain, don’t gain”, I am not saying to be obsessed with your weight over the next several weeks. We all know the scale can be paralyzing and it brings a ton of grief for some. No need to step on the scale, unless you want to. Maintain, don’t gain is more of ideology to maintain your fitness,
nutrition, and sanity throughout the holiday season.
I want to share these exact tools with you this holiday season. What you will learn in my coaching program will extend beyond the holidays. It will be of value for anytime that your normal routine changes - vacations, holidays, or what have you. There is no on and off, there are just
adjustments and doing the best with what’s available.
I am so excited to share and show you how to thrive through the holidays. Its group coaching with me in a private Facebook group with support and accountability, 20 workouts with video demos, a Bye Bye Bloat guide, nutritional guidance, and Facebook live workouts right in our group – we can
train together, and daily tips to Thrive during the holidays.
As a part of my inner circle and for signing up for my 10 Simple Hacks guide, you have early access, plus a 20% discount until tomorrow, Monday, November 14 at midnight CST.
I can’t wait connect with you. I’ve been
hearing good things about my 10 Simple Hacks, and the Maintain, Don’t Gain will be even that much better.
Let me know if you have any questions, happy to answer anything.
Happy Sunday!
Yours in
Strength and Wellness,
Xo
Candace
