What About Your Health?
I was cleaning up the photos on my phone recently when I came across an image I'd saved last year. I laughed out loud all over again.
It said:
In the US, we have a candy holiday,
followed by a pie holiday,
then a cookies and candy holiday,
before a boozer holiday.
And we call it “flu season”
rather than “sugar poisoning season.”
Ouch. 😂
I don't know who originally came up with that one, but there's a bit of truth wrapped up in the humor.
Think about it.
The fall flavored pumpkin latte’s, cider and donuts have already made their appearance…
Next weekend, we kick things into gear with Halloween candy.
Then we move into Thanksgiving pies and all the fixings we are grateful for.
We roll straight into Christmas parties, cookies and holiday treats.
And then we toast our way into the New Year.
And that's just the food!
On top of that we add shopping, decorating, parties, travel, family obligations, year-end deadlines, and about 47 other things to our already full schedules.
We stay up later, sleep less, move less, and sometimes spend days running around taking care of everyone and everything except ourselves.
Then we wonder why we're exhausted, our energy is dragging, our routines have fallen apart, and we're feeling a little less than our best.
Our bodies are being asked to do MORE while we're often giving them LESS of what they need to keep up.
And somewhere along the way, we start telling ourselves a story.
I'll get back to my workouts after the holidays.
Eating well is just too difficult this time of year.
I'm too busy to take care of myself right now.
January is right around the corner. I'll start fresh then.
Sound familiar?
Here's the interesting part. Sometimes it's not that we truly can't take care of ourselves during the holidays. It's that we've already decided we can't.
Now, before you think I'm suggesting you skip the pumpkin pie, turn down Grandma's cookies, or spend the holidays hiding in the gym while everyone else has fun, let me reassure you. That's not where I'm going with this.
Life is meant to be enjoyed!
But it helps to understand what's happening behind the scenes when sweets become an everyday habit - even for just the last two months of the year.
A little sugar reality check so to speak…
Certain bacteria thrive on sugars, and frequent sugar exposure can encourage that bacteria and that makes it harder for our bodies to fight off infection.
Also, when we regularly consume more added sugar than our bodies need, it can contribute to blood sugar swings and, over time, make blood sugar regulation more challenging.
That can lead to energy highs and lows, more cravings, and a tougher time managing weight.
And when we're already juggling extra commitments, getting less movement and spending less time outdoors, those ups and downs can leave us feeling even more drained.
What if we approached this season a little differently?
The goal isn't to fear sugar or swear off holiday treats. I love the celebrations, the traditions, the special foods, and the memories that make this time of year so wonderful.
I don't believe living a healthy life means putting everything you enjoy on hold. But I do think there's a difference between enjoying the holidays and putting our health on hold because it's the holidays.
Instead of trying to be perfect, be a little more intentional.
Maybe taking care of ourselves could be part of the celebration, too?
We could head into the holidays with a plan that allowed us to enjoy the fun without feeling completely depleted by the time January rolls around.
It doesn't have to be complicated. In fact, some of the simplest habits can make the biggest difference.
Keep a few non-negotiables - Choose the habits that help you feel your best and protect them as much as you reasonably can.
Maybe it's two strength workouts a week, a morning walk, or a consistent bedtime.
Fuel yourself before you get too busy - Don't spend the day running on coffee and holiday cookies, only to arrive at dinner utterly ravenous. Eat balanced meals, include protein and fiber, and drink plenty of water.
Build movement into the life you're already living - It doesn't have to be a formal workout to count towards your calories burned. Take a walk to look at holiday lights, get outside for a few minutes, or enjoy a little movement between activities.
Be intentional about the treats you really want - You don't have to eat every treat simply because it's there or because it's that time of year. Savor and enjoy the cookies, pie, or special holiday drink that you genuinely love.
Give yourself permission to adjust, not abandon - Some weeks won't go as planned. That's okay! A flexible plan that you can maintain is far more useful than an all or nothing plan you can't follow.
And perhaps most importantly, pay attention to the stories you tell yourself.
Are they helping you move toward the way you want to feel?
Or are they giving you permission to put something important to you on the back burner?
Neither question is meant to make you feel guilty.
It's simply an opportunity to pause, get honest with yourself, and choose what you want this season to look like.
So, let me ask you something.
What are your health goals for the holidays?
Do they stay the same? Do you adjust them? Do they disappear until January?
Have you ever gone through a holiday season when you made your health a priority right alongside your celebrations? If so, what did you do differently? And how did you feel?
I'd love for you to think about those questions, because here's what I know:
You don't have to choose between enjoying your life and taking care of your body. With a little intention and the right support, you can make room for both.
And if you're already thinking, “Kim, that sounds great, but I need a little help figuring out what that actually looks like for me.” - That's exactly the kind of thing I help my clients work through.
Sometimes we need more than another list of healthy habits. We need a realistic plan that fits our lives, a little accountability, and someone who can help us navigate the obstacles that arise week by week when life gets busy.
If you'd like some help finding that balance this holiday season, I'd love to talk with you. We can look at where you are now, what's most important to you, and a few practical ways to keep moving toward your goals without missing out on the fun.
You don't have to wait until January to feel good again.
Here's to enjoying the treats, making the memories, and taking good care of the person who makes all of it possible: YOU!
Keep shining!
Kim
P.S. If you want a little help making your health a priority this season, reach out and let's talk. Sometimes a small shift in your plan can make a big difference in how you feel.
