The holidays are coming up.

I’m not ready for them, especially since it feels like spring here in Zurich. But that’s besides the point.

Fact is, we can’t escape the reality that Thanksgiving is around the corner and Christmas is looming right behind.

This means, food, family, food, family and some more food and family. You be the judge, which one is more stressful.

It also means that most of us will screw up our bodies in only a short few days or weeks.

That’s why I thought I’d share a few tips on how you can survive the holidays without screwing up your glorious shape and gaining 8-20 pounds, which Americans do on average.

I’m not American, but even in my most horrific anorexic years, I gained many pounds between Christmas and New Year’s. I always ended up feeling horrible and the whole point of the holidays was wasted by my being solely fixated on food.

Know that feeling? Than this post is for you.

Disclaimer:

I don’t actually believe you can ever screw up your body. But since most of you don’t share my belief (unfortunately), I’ll offer some advice on what you can do to keep your body in its best shape over the holidays and beyond.

Ready? Let’s see what you can do to have a body that is nothing short of sizzling hot. 

1. Meditate

Say, what? Yes, meditate. I know it seems like it has nothing to do with your body, but it does. And oh, how much it does.

It’s important to realize that your self-worth and your health don’t depend on the way your body is shaped. So, reaffirm yourself by taking 20-30 minutes for yourself every single day. Breathe, let go of all the hateful things you tell yourself and instead feed your mind with positivity and messages of hope.

This’ll ground you and focus your mind on what is truly important: taking care of your wellbeing and making sure that your body enables you to be energetic, feel alive and have fun.

2. Get an accountability buddy

Challenges are best handled if you don’t face them alone. So, call up a friend or a family member and create a plan on how you can hold each other accountable.

Can you work out a few times a week together? Can you plan a healthy option for your Thanksgiving dinner? Can you simply make sure that if you overindulge, you have someone to call and spill your guts to?

Check in with yourself and notice what it is you need most during those stressful months.

3. Green Juice

I’ve fallen in love with green juicing in this past year. It’s opened up a whole new world of taste for me and the benefits I’ve seen in my body are amazing.

A daily glass of green juice is a great way of reducing cravings and shedding a few stubborn pounds. It strengthens your bones and smoothes your skin. It also gives you more energy than you’ve had in ages.

Yes, it may be a bit weird at first and you may have to get used to the taste, but if you experiment with ingredients, you’ll find your perfect juice.

Here’s a super simple one:

• 2 green apples
• A bunch of spinach
• 1 lemon
• Ginger to taste

4. Don’t starve aka. diet

The worst thing you can do for yourself and your body is to starve days or weeks before the holidays. Even going into a meal without having eaten all day is counterproductive. [Click to Tweet]

Why? Well, your mouth will be watering, your stomach will be growling and your eyes will be bigger than your appetite. You’ll eat so much more being starved than if you sat down feeling satisfied. I know what I’m talking about.

I used to diet for months (yes, months!) before the holidays in order to “allow” myself to eat on those few days celebrating Christmas. The result? I’d eat so much that I’d feel sick, couldn’t focus on the true meaning of the holidays and felt simply awful all around.

So, eat a salad, a bowl of soup, some vegetables or fruit before you celebrate the holiday with a delicious meal and you’ll be much more likely to stop after a serving or two.

5. Move

This is the most obvious tip, but it’s also the most effective. The more you move, the better. Not only will you reduce your cravings, but you’ll also have the chance to clear your mind. There’s nothing better than ducking out for a while and spending some time on your own.

This has been one of my survival strategies for years and I’ve never ever regretted leaving the craziness of our big family reunions behind for an hour or so. I always loved spending some time in the snow, breathing in the crisp ice-cold winter air and coming back to a place of calm.

Choose a workout that you enjoy and stay away from exercises that feel like a punishment. The more you love the way you move your body, the more often you’ll do it.

Dance, ski, walk, run or do yoga and see how awesome you’ll feel after every single workout. Try to shoot for 30 minutes to an hour a day and you’ll soon see the effects on your mood, your body and your mind.

If you want a quick and effective way to shape your core, check out this video I did for you.

6. Book a session (or a package) with me and we’ll work out your individual strategies on how you can

Sometimes, we just can’t do it alone and the thought of relying on a family member or friend simply doesn’t do it. That’s OK and more than understandable.

Let’s work together and devise a detailed plan for you to survive the holidays without losing your mind and letting your eating habits get totally out of control.

I’ve got a sweet holiday offer for you. Book any of my coaching programs before November 20th and get 50% off. That’s right and I’m serious. Call it my early Christmas gift for you.

One last tip: Remember what the holidays are really about.

They’re about being grateful for all you have. They’re about spending time with your loved ones, relaxing, talking, catching up and simply being. Focus on what’s really important instead of solely going after the food. 

And don’t forget to have fun!

Tell me, which survival strategies do you use over the holidays? What other tips do you have to get your body back after having gained a few pounds?