For those who celebrate, the holidays are in full swing, bringing with them a lot of events and socializing. For anyone on a health journey, this can feel overwhelming. In this edition, let’s talk about enjoying holiday parties while giving yourself permission to eat what makes you happy.

Many people approach the holiday season with the mindset that they’ll start focusing on their health in January. This is fine as long as it doesn’t cause additional stress or compromise your well-being. What we want to avoid is creating emotional or mental burdens where we criticize ourselves for enjoying holiday treats and start using terms like “I’ve been bad” or “cheat meal.” These phrases imply that food has morality, which can negatively affect how we perceive our choices. By reframing the situation, we can manage it better both physically and emotionally.

For example, if you’re heading into a social event with lots of appetizers, sweet treats, and alcohol, and your goal is to enjoy yourself without overindulging, consider these tips:

1. Recognize that it’s just one meal. One meal won’t change your body composition or derail your goals.
2. Choose foods that work for your body. Using your own framework, identify which options support your health and gravitate toward those.
3. Pre-eat if needed. If you often encounter food that doesn’t meet your dietary needs, go to events with a semi-full or full stomach. This helps reduce social pressure to eat foods that don’t work for you.

Ultimately, the goal is to enjoy your traditions and build meaningful connections, as these are things many of us miss in our daily lives. Meaningful connections play a vital role in mental health by fostering a sense of belonging, reducing stress, and improving overall happiness. Sharing meals, laughter, and stories with loved ones can create lasting memories that nourish the soul and strengthen relationships. In a time when many feel disconnected, prioritizing these moments helps combat feelings of isolation and boosts emotional resilience. So, savor the meal, have the cookie, and focus on the joy this season brings.​​

Coach Jen

Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies Made these myself this year using bob gf 1-1 flour. Turned out amazing but only cook for the 8 minutes to keep them a little soft in the middle. Recipe Here

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