Maintaining Balance Amidst Holiday Chaos

Maintaining Balance Amidst Holiday Chaos

How are you managing this holiday season so far?  I’ll tell you why I ask.

For many of us, the holidays are a time of great joy. This time of year encourages the best in human nature to shine through. We see family and friends that we may not see any other time of year. We also can experience the joy of giving, be it a gift to family members or time spent helping those in need. I think we can all agree that the overall spirit of the holidays is one that we should all strive to achieve year round!

Unfortunately however, this time of year can also bring hectic schedules and unique pressures, along with stress and chaos, which can upend our otherwise healthy and focused mindsets.

What is it about this time of year that creates stress?

There are many potential triggers hidden amongst the mistletoe and festive music. Scheduling conflicts are a major stressor for all of us, and this is especially true during November and December.

In addition to your regular weekly or monthly schedule, the holiday brings a myriad of other time commitments waiting to be honored. You have to decide which ones you want or need to make a priority. Often, we overschedule ourselves during this time of year, not wanting to offend anyone. So we end up promising our time to every holiday party, volunteer event and children’s play we are invited to, but guess what?

That isn’t always the healthiest choice for you…right? 

It wears you out doesn’t it?  That’s not good! 

Trust me, I’ve had to make changes in my own life.  So I know how it feels.  

So, how can you prioritize and streamline your schedule for a holiday season that everyone can enjoy? 

  1. First, think about which holiday events you and your family most enjoy. Those should get first priority in scheduling.
  2. Next, consider the holiday events and invitations that are important – and why you consider them important? Has your granddaughter asked you to come see her play on the same night that your company party is being held?

I like to use the Ten Year Rule in these cases. In ten years, which choice will you look back and be glad you made? Instead of stressing out, create your holiday schedule based on your intrinsic values. Then, act with confidence. If you must decline an invitation, do so politely. When it’s appropriate, explain the reason you can’t volunteer or attend an event. I’ve had to tell people, “I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to make it. I’m volunteering that day, and the shelter is counting on me.” In my experience, most people will understand and even respect your decision to prioritize the things close to your heart.

Coordinating holiday schedules with your family can be even trickier. Whose home will host Christmas this year? Which sides of the family will you and/or your children celebrate with, and on which days? This can be the most challenging time of the holidays to finesse, and, sometimes, it’s impossible to avoid conflict. Work with every member of your family to find out what they’re expectations are – and don’t wait until the week before Christmas. Try to remain as flexible as possible – if you can’t be with your grown children on Christmas morning, make sure you demonstrate a willingness to celebrate on a different day. After all, the important thing is that you will all be able to celebrate as a family.

I wish you lots of love, health and happiness as you make your way through this joyful holiday season!

How do you maintain your sanity during the chaos of holiday scheduling?

Do you have a schedule that helps you decide when the holidays are celebrated with different branches of your family? Are there certain events or activities that you always make time for?

Write me and let me know – I’d love to hear from you!

Simple Diet Changes To Take Back Your Life

Simple Diet Changes To Take Back Your Life

As you all know, I’m a big believer in taking back your life at any age. In fact, I’ve been called “America’s #1 Expert on Looking Fit, Fierce and Fabulous After 40.” I believe that helping women just like you is my true calling in his life. However, as a 65-year-old mom and grandmother, I understand the insecurities and doubts that can creep in as you get older. Those same doubts can keep you from taking action day after day, year after year. That’s why today is the day to kick those doubts to the curb, and start taking back your life one step at a time. One of the best ways to get started is changing your diet, and the way you think about food.

Why is changing your diet – and the way you view food – so important? Because so many of us have a complicated, and sometimes unhealthy, relationship with food. Food is wonderful. The foods we eat feed our bodies, allowing us to achieve our goals and achieve optimal levels of health and wellness. However, those same foods can contain harmful ingredients, excessive fats and sugars and other additives that harm our health and keep us from reaching those same goals.

Get What You Need From Food 

Our ideal relationship with food should be one of balance. Educate yourself on what your body needs, and at what age. Which nutrients are key, and why are they important? Your first dietary goal should be to get what your body needs to be its best. That means enough protein, enough fiber, enough calcium … you get the idea. No diet should ever reduce your food intake to the point that you aren’t getting the nutrients you need to thrive. 

Minimize What You Don’t Need

Once you’ve ensured that your diet is meeting your body’s needs, start focusing on minimizing the things you don’t need. Yogurt, for instance, is a great source of protein, calcium and helpful gut bacteria. If you like yogurt, take a look at the brand you currently enjoy. How many grams of sugar does it have per serving? How does it compare to other brands? Is there a healthier option you could try? Kefir, a drinkable yogurt, is often lower in sugar and has been used as part of healthy diets for hundreds of years.  

Leave Room for What You Love

A diet that is too strict, with no room for treating yourself, is one of the fastest ways to failure. While you may maintain a diet like this for a while, eventually you’ll start craving those favorite foods that you no longer allow yourself. Plus, if you do slip up and indulge, you’ll feel like you’ve failed, which makes you more likely to call it quits. So leave room for a little bit of what you love. There are many ways to do this – you can find a lower calorie alternative, or use portion control to keep track of how much you’re eating. Allow yourself a treat on the days you’ve worked especially hard at the gym, when you’ve burned enough calories to minimize the impact of your indulgence. And, lastly, enjoy! It IS okay to treat ourselves. It is NOT okay to binge eat ourselves into a coma.

At 65 years young, I know that it takes focus, dedication and discipline to live your best life regardless of age, and this includes a healthy and balanced approach to the foods you eat. Cleansing is also important. Cleanses give you more energy, focus, help you to absorb all the good nutrients u take in, helps to avoid illnesses and gets rid of body fat. In fact, there is a 30 day cleanse I use all quite oftenIf you’re interested in finding out more about the cleanse I use,  just send me an email.  

I love helping people change their relationship with food and fitness.  

 

Tell me, how have you changed your relationship with food. 

What strategies do you use to maintain a great relationship with the foods that nourish you?

Let me know in the comments below!