“How to Navigate the “Not-so-Lean” Holiday Parties

Ahh the holiday season - a time filled with friends, family and of course holiday parties! Although all the holiday parties can be fun, it can sometimes be hard to avoid all the “not-so-lean” food options that most parties have to offer. Today, I will be sharing my tips on how to navigate through these parties in the leanest way possible!

1.BEFORE THE PARTY…

In order to stay lean during a Christmas party, it’s important to begin by preparing yourself before the party even starts! There are a few LEAN KEYS to do BEFORE the party, the first being fasting. I know I’ve mentioned this TONS of times before but I cannot stress how EFFECTIVE fasting can be, and how easy it is for anyone to utilize! Try to fast in the morning, OR if you are already an avid “Faster”, try extending your fast for a couple hours. This will get your body burning in the morning so you are able to enjoy a few more vegetables (...or treats) later on in the day.

In addition to fasting, you need to make a conscious effort to drink EXTRA water! Sometimes when we are dehydrated or just simply don’t have enough water in our system, we tend to crave more Whoopsies or just eat more food than we actually need. Loading up on water beforehand can help you fight cravings and make leaner decisions at your holiday party. If possible, carry a water bottle around with you throughout the day so there is no excuse NOT to hydrate! If it’s in front of you, you’re more likely to drink it!

2. LOAD UP ON VEGGIES

A good percentage of the time, most holiday parties have some healthy options such as fruit trays or veggie trays. Something I like to do when I first get to the party is load up on fruits and veggies - especially veggies. Fruits are high in sugar, but are still one of the healthiest options when it comes to choosing your appetizers or desserts. Veggies hold the nutrients and vitamins that your body craves. By following this tip, you will feel more satisfied and won’t have to struggle with as many Whoopsie cravings. Try and stay away from heavy appetizers such as rich dips and breads. Not only can they throw you off your lean game, but they can also leave you feeling heavy and bloated.

3. DRINKIES

As most of you know I like to enjoy a drinkie or 2 every once in a while. When it comes to alcohol, especially at Christmas parties where there is usually a large array of fun cocktails to try, there are a few things you can do to avoid drinking away all your calories in just a couple sips:

1. Choose the right drink! Creamy drinks such as Eggnog or Bailey’s can be high in fats and sugar making it a MAJOR Whoopsie. Not to say, “don’t have a couple glasses of eggnog”, but just understand what you are drinking!
2. Fruity cocktails or drinks mixed with pop can also be dangerous.

The drinks I would suggest going for are either a red wine, or a white liquor such as, tequila, vodka or gin mixed with club soda or lemon or lime juice. Red wine is high in antioxidants and has tons of other health benefits (in small doses of course). White liquors are low in calories and club soda has 0 calories, so you won’t feel bad for having a couple drinks. You could also try out pre-canned low calorie drinks if available such as Nude Vodka, with one can only containing 100 calories and no sugar!

WITH THIS SAID, it is important to consume alcohol IN MODERATION. Ideally, the less you drink the better, but over the Christmas season, a few extra Whoopsies are expected.

4. PICK YOUR POISON

Usually when attending Christmas parties, there are lots of different junk foods to choose from. When trying to stay lean, instead of going crazy with the treats, I like to choose 1-2 of my favourite desserts to snack on. This can seem like a difficult task, but if you follow the tips above - drink lots of water and load up on veggies, you won’t be as hungry and therefore won’t be craving as much junk food. I would also HIGHLY recommend strategically positioning your conversation spots, or dinner seat, AWAY from the buffet/dessert table. By standing close to the Whoopsies, it drastically increases the likelihood of “Whoopsie Grazing” which is not ideal.

5. HAVE FUN!

This tip is definitely the most important one! The holidays are a time meant to spend having fun and relaxing with family and friends. Don’t let the lean life take over and hinder your spirits during the holidays. Focus on getting your workout in, eat lean as often as possible, and then ENJOY yourself and HAVE FUN!

There you have it! 5 tips to help you get through your holiday parties while staying lean! Happy holiday from myself and the LEANSQUAD team!