The Holidays are a time to give thanks for all we have and be grateful for loved ones that are in our lives!  It is a time to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends.  Sure the Holidays center around gatherings and eating but that doesn’t mean you have to stress about blowing your Peak Performance plan and goals.  It just means you need to be aware of your selections and portions and continue your movement routines.

Along with living an active Peak Performance lifestyle while incorporating movement into your daily routine, you will also want to be sure to continue your other more focused workouts.  The best time to get in your movement routine is in the morning often before gatherings start to occur.  If you are travelling and can’t do your typical exercises of choice, pushups, planks, sit-ups and pullups may still be options as well as taking brisk walks or hikes.  Go exploring!

There are generally some close if not exactly Peak Performance foods at every gathering like protein (hopefully pastured, grass-fed or wild caught), salads, and veggies. You just need to identify them and have bigger portions of those foods.  You will also want to  identify the foods that are not on the Peak Performance plan and decide which ones you always look forward to and don’t want to miss and which ones you don’t mind skipping as much this year.  As for the off Peak Performance plan foods you have looked forward to all year, do not deprive yourself but don’t go all out either.  Have a few bites to get the taste but don’t gorge on them.  Get the satisfaction without the consequences.

A couple of tips to assist in your success this year: Slow down when you eat and see if you can identify all the ingredients of each bite.  Use the time that everyone is eating to connect and engage in meaningful conversations with loved ones you may not connect with often.  Drink at least 8 oz. of water prior to the meal.

Also, be mindful of your alcohol intake (high calorie low nutrition) as that can reduce your ability to make good decisions and make it easier to give into your cravings not hunger.  But above all else, don’t stress over one meal.  If you are living the Peak Performance way the rest of the month you will have nothing to worry about.  Enjoy!