If you have decided that you would like to stay on track over the holidays, and not throw your year’s worth of hard work away, then good for you.  Or perhaps you have decided to let your hair down this festive season and plan to enjoy yourself as much as possible. Everyone must make that choice for themselves and nobody else. My goal for this post is to hopefully provide a little inspiration.

Narrow the time frame

So when exactly does the “festive season” begin and end? This is a question you should settle in your mind upfront. By narrowing down the time frame, you will restrict your number of cheat days significantly. Maybe it will just be Christmas day that you will indulge, or perhaps only when you are away on your holiday? Devise your plan and stick to it.

Choose your drinks wisely

You can still enjoy the occasional drink and not have it totally wreck your hard work if you choose carefully. Beer is just loaded with carbs, so isn’t the best choice and stay away from sugary mixes and fruity cocktails. Enjoy dry wine or perhaps a whiskey and soda and remember to drink lots of water too. The moment the chips and bread start looking hard to resist, you might want to consider sticking to water only. Alcohol will play havoc with your willpower. If you have been spending quite a bit of time in ketosis, alcohol will affect you much quicker, so please be careful.

Eat A or B, not both

By making simple choices you can avoid the unwanted kilos that often come with indulgences over the festive season. For example, if you would love to have a glass of champagne with your meal, then commit to not having second helpings. Or avoid having the roasted sweet potatoes if you are keen to try the dark chocolate mousse. Share treats with your spouse, friend or family member. You will still get to enjoy the taste without consuming all the carbs. Practising moderation during this time can help.

Be aware of the slippery slope

My slope tends to be VERY slippery and this is what helps to keep me in check. The moment I start feeling hungry all the time, or I start suffering from low energy, that is when I know I have exceeded my tolerance level for indulgences. I know I will need to get strict again if I want to feel better. For me it is not about avoiding guilt, but about not wanting to feel awful during my holiday. I feel my best when I am Banting  – so that is a huge motivator for me. How slippery is your slope? Maybe you still need to find out. When you do, let that knowledge empower you and take action.

Be gentle on yourself

Be gentle on yourself and know that tomorrow is another day. Don’t let a few bad cheat days define who you are. You know what to do, so when you are ready – get back on track. You are in control. Staying positive is half the battle won.

Don’t judge

Don’t judge others for what they decide to enjoy.  No-one needs the Banting police at their Christmas table. Don’t be THAT person. Live and let live. By all means keep tabs of what is going into your mouth and make your good food choices, but do so quietly and without fanfare.

So there you have it. My two cents worth for enjoying the holidays. Relax, recharge and enjoy the break. I wish you all a very merry and blessed Christmas.