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The holidays can be a magical time, filled with joy, connecting with people you care about, and plenty of delicious food. But let’s be real: all those festive gatherings and comfort foods make it all too easy to pack on a few extra pounds. So if you want to enjoy the season without going up a pants size by the New Year, we’ve got some simple and practical tips to help you stay on track. Remember, it isn’t about perfection - it’s about making smart choices, and being kind to yourself, while still enjoying the season.
Reduce Sugar Cravings With Sugar-Busting Teas
For so many of us, the holiday season includes a parade of sugary treats: pies, cookies, chocolate truffles, hot cocoa, candy canes, and let’s not forget eggnog. While indulging in a small amount of sweets is fine, eating even a little bit of sugar can trigger cravings for more. And if you already struggle with sugar cravings, even a little is too much. The best way to deal with sugar cravings is to turn to sugar-busting teas like Sugarproof and Sleek & Slender, which are formulated with special botanicals that will help you curb those cravings while also stabilizing your blood sugar. Plus, drinking a mug of hot tasty tea on a chilly day is a whole vibe all on its own. You will feel festive, avoid the sugar crash, and keep your consumption of empty calories to a minimum.
You can get the sugar busting teas right here.
Need something to brew your tea with? These paper tea filters give you the convenience of tea bags with the quality of loose leaf tea. This stainless steel tea tumbler keeps your tea piping hot for hours, and is perfect for work and travel.
You can learn more about Sugarproof Tea and how it works here
Plan Healthy Swaps For Holiday Foods and Drinks
If you’re hosting a gathering, or bringing a dish to a party, you have the perfect opportunity to make healthy lower calorie swaps for traditional holiday dishes. Love creamy mashed potatoes? You can swap them for mashed cauliflower, which is still comforting but lower in carbs and calories. Instead of vegetable casseroles, substitute roasted seasonal veggies like Brussels sprouts, carrots, and butternut squash. When making desserts, you can cut the amount of sugar by 25-30% without a noticeable difference in taste. Swap hot cocoa for a tasty tea like chai or a holiday peppermint blend.
However, if you’re invited to a gathering, there may not always be a healthy choice available. In these situations, focus on portion control. Try to fill up on veggies and protein before diving into heavier foods.
These tasty holiday favorite teas are satisfying, and make delicious tea lattes. You can get them here.
Stick to a Regular Exercise Schedule
Holiday schedules can be hectic, but staying active doesn’t have to be time-consuming or complicated. Stick to your regular routine as much as possible, whether that’s a morning walk, an hour of yoga, or a 20 minute workout at home. Even if you can’t get to the gym or have time for your usual routine, a little exercise is always better than nothing. Consistency is important, and regular physical movement keeps your metabolism humming, while keeping stress levels and inflammation in check.
You can keep a set of light weight dumbbells at work or in your living room where you can grab a few minutes of movement in between tasks or at the end of the day when watching TV.
A fun way to make sure you’re moving consistently is to get your family involved. Suggest going for a walk together after a big meal. This will give you a chance to bond and enjoy each other’s company while sticking to your wellness goals. Get more out of your post-meal walk by using ankle weights to increase your calorie burn.
Don’t Let Stress or Family Drama Derail You
We all know that holiday gatherings can sometimes come with a side of family stress. Whether it’s old unaddressed issues bubbling up, or simply you trying to meet everyone’s demands and expectations, stress can lead to emotional eating and unhealthy coping habits. The unpleasant truth is that stress adds pounds, and not just because of emotional overeating. The stress hormone cortisol encourages your body to hold on to fat, especially around your belly. Because stress also increases inflammation and lowers immunity, it is especially important to have a game plan for handling stress ready in advance in order to protect your health as well as your peace. Whether your stress-busting tactic is to step out for fresh air or to sip on some stress-busting herbal tea, remember that you’ve got this!
You can get our most popular stress-busting teas here: Anxiety Relief soothes feelings of emotional overwhelm and anxiousness, and Lush Lavender calms and soothes frayed nerves.
Stay Hydrated
One of the ways you can stay energized and avoid overeating during the holidays is to simply stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water keeps your metabolism and digestion running smoothly. Aim to keep a water bottle handy throughout the day, and try to drink a full glass of water before meals to help curb overeating. If you do end up indulging in sweet drinks or alcohol, you will need extra water to help process the sugar. The best tip here is to be a two-fisted drinker: whenever you have a sip of a sugary drink or alcohol, have a sip of water immediately after. This will help prevent hangovers and support your kidneys. Plus, drinking plenty of water is important during the cooler months when indoor air is dryer.
This water bottle is a fun way to keep track of your water consumption throughout the day.
Keep a Journal To Track Your Wins and Progress
If you aren’t in the habit of keeping a journal, this is a great time to start. Journaling is a great way to manage stress, manage your mindset, and stick to your health goals during the busy holiday season. Tracking even the smallest wins can do wonders for your self-esteem. Did you say no to that extra slice of pie? Did you work out when you didn’t feel like it? These victories really do matter, and keeping track of them will help you stay motivated and keep you focused on your bigger goals.
You can get this cool wellness tracker journal here, where you can keep note of your daily food intake, workouts, and daily wins.
Stick To A Sleep Schedule
Holiday parties, online shopping into the wee hours, and extended family time can wreak havoc on your sleep schedule. However - poor sleep is one of the biggest culprits behind weight gain. Sleep deprivation upsets the balance of hormones that control appetite, and can lead to insulin resistance. When your body is lacking in sleep, you often experience an increase in sugar and carb cravings in order to get quick energy, and this makes it harder to resist the temptation to overeat, or eat the wrong foods. Do your best to stick to your sleep schedule and prioritize your rest. If needed, drink soothing or sedating herbal tea to relax your body and calm your thoughts.
Grab those nighttime sleep promoting teas here. If you need an extra boost to help you sleep, magnesium is a safe and gentle supplement that can help improve your sleep quality naturally. You can get magnesium here.
Finally, be kind to yourself. The holidays are meant to be enjoyed, not spent in guilt or deprivation. If you indulge more than you planned, it’s okay! You’re human, and one heavy meal or one dessert doesn’t define your journey. What matters most is what you do after that. Get back on track, listen to your body, and move forward with grace. The holidays are about joy, connection, and creating memories—not about perfection.
If you enjoyed this, also check out the 10 most effective herbs for weight loss
*This information has not been evaluated by the FDA, and is not intended to diagnose or cure a medical issue, or replace professional medical care. If you are pregnant or nursing, are under the care of a physician, or on prescription medication, talk to your health care provider before making any changes to your diet or routine.