6 Tips to Staying Strong (and Sane) Through December 🎄

You made it through November and Thanksgiving.

Maybe you ate more than you wanted to, maybe you didn’t.

Either way… now it’s December.

This is the hardest month to keep calories in check.

Holiday parties, cookies with the kids, office treats, big dinners – it’s a lot.

You do not need to be perfect.

Here are a few simple things that help me.

---

1. Keep Exercising (Even a Little More)

In December, I try to keep my workouts the same or add a little.

Sometimes I:

• Make a workout a bit longer
• Add an extra workout here or there

It’s not punishment.

I like working out, and if I eat more, I’m okay with moving more.

---

2. Big Protein Breakfast

Most days I start with a high-protein breakfast:

• Egg whites
• Chicken sausage
• A little cheese in a bowl

It’s under 500 calories and has a lot of protein.

It helps me feel full and makes snacking later less likely.

---

3. Think in “500-Calorie Blocks”

Instead of tracking every bite, I think in 500-calorie “blocks.”

• 4 blocks × 500 calories ≈ 2,000 calories
• That might be: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack or dessert

If I know I want a bigger dinner, I might:

• Eat less earlier in the day
• Or save two blocks (1,000 calories) for that meal

If I know dessert will be heavy on sugar and fat,

I try to make my earlier meals higher in protein.

---

4. Make Trades (Big Meal = Tighter Elsewhere)

December is all about trade-offs.

If I want a big dinner or a party night, I:

• Make sure I get my workout in
• Eat a bit lighter earlier in the day

You can eat almost anything…

as long as you remember the whole day still has a limit.

---

5. Stop at “Comfortable,” Not Stuffed

If I feel stuffed, I know I ate too much.

At parties, I tend to:

• Eat fast
• Go back for seconds
• Realize too late I’m way too full

Then dessert comes out, and even when I’m full,

I still want “just a few bites.”

My new plan is to:

• Eat slower
• Stop when I feel comfortable, not stuffed
• Remind myself I feel better later when I don’t overdo it

Eating a little less in the moment = feeling a lot better later.

---

6. Keep Walking (Even When It’s Cold)

The weather gets cold, and it’s easy to skip walks.

I still try to:

• Bundle up
• Get outside
• Walk regularly

Nothing crazy. Just consistent movement to help my body and my mind.

---

December does not have to be perfect.

You don’t need to skip every dessert or avoid every party.

If you:

• Keep working out
• Use a little structure
• Make a few smart trades
• Try not to get stuffed all the time

…you can enjoy the holidays and feel good going into January.

We’ll be here all month to help you stay strong and consistent—

even with eggnog around. 😉