1. STAYING MOTIVATED
OVER THE HOLIDAYS

2. I get asked all of the time, especially with the holidays just passed, how I stay
motivated through all of the social gatherings, dinners, homemade desserts and
deliciously tempting gifts. I have learned through trial and error what works
best for me when it comes to staying on track during the holiday season. In
past years I have made it through without so much as a second glance at
temptations, and others I have indulged in everything I could get my hands on,
welcoming in the New Year with the feeling of guilt and a larger dress size!
Here is what I've learned.

3. BE REALISTIC
If you set your expectations for yourself too high, more often than not, you will fail.
Expect to slip-up. Allow yourself to indulge every once in a while, accept it when you do
and move on. No one is perfect, no one eats 100% healthy all of the time, and if they do
I'd like to meet them! When we set unrealistic goals for ourselves we tend to beat
ourselves up, and become discouraged and disappointed when we do have the occasional
slip-up. This usually leads to giving up altogether and turning that one slip-up into days,
or even weeks, of unhealthy choices. This was the case for me, the hardest thing over all
else has been learning to give up the "all or nothing' attitude I carried with me for so
long. Eating healthy isn't about punishing your body, but respecting it. Don't deprive
yourself, enjoy your favorite treat every so often, and get right back on the horse when
you're done!

4. CONSISTENCY
It is easy for us to become distracted by all of our holiday duties and forget
about going to the gym or finding the time to always prepare healthy meals.
During these busy times it is important to stay consistent in your exercising
and eating clean. If you can find half an hour out of your day to go to the
gym, go. If you can't leave the house, have a quick 15 minute at-home
workout while dinner is in the oven! Any bit of exercise you can fit in will
keep you on track until you have more free time. Again, when it comes to
food it is okay to have the occasional cheat but be consistent and continue
to eat the way your body deserves at your next meal.

5. FIND A ROLE MODEL
This could be a celebrity, fitness personality, friend, acquaintance or personal trainer.
Whoever you decide to be your role model, it should be someone whose choices you
respect. This person should live an all-around healthy lifestyle; the same kind that you
strive for. I use Tosca Reno. When I am tempted at a dinner event I think of what she
would do in a similar situation, or I imagine her there watching my choices, and that is
enough to make any temptation quickly disappear! I have seen some people even carry
around a picture in their wallet of their healthy role model or have a poster of them on
their kitchen wall. It reminds you of what you are working towards, even when others
around you are making negative choices without a second thought. Find out what works
for you and use your role model as a guide to making the right choices for your body!

6. SET MINI-GOALS
Make mini, short-term goals for yourself over the holidays or when you
know ahead of time that there is going to be temptation. Instead of
making the goal "I will not gain any extra weight this holiday season",
break it into more specific goals such as: “When faced with my favorite
chocolate desserts, I will have just one instead of the usual five", "I will
make it to the gym at least three times per week", or "I will have a salad
before every dinner instead of going for seconds". When we make smaller,
reachable goals, we gain the feeling of achievement and are less likely to
continue on with bad habits.