Parties, and Cookies, And Cocktails, Oh My!

Tis the season for cookie exchanges, corporate parties, family gatherings and festive nights out on the town with friends. For family traditions baking and cooking and toasting and gathering warm by the fire. For shopping and wrapping and celebrating and pulling late nights with the Elf on the Shelf. For trying to fit more hours in each day, a to do list that doesn’t end, for weeks where your schedule is so upside down that workouts and healthy meal planning and drinking anything that’s not caffeinated, alcoholic or sugar-laden seems, well … that’s what January is for, right?

Cough. Cough. Remember that planner and list of goals from back in August? Dust it off, hit refresh, and let’s see what we can do with the coming weeks, a challenge for even the most committed among us. Mindfulness is going to go a long way, friends.

For starters, commit to keeping your regular workout schedule as closely as possible; make this a priority, and not the first place you look to create more time. Consistent activity will do wonders for your mental health and stress relief, your physical health, energy, and immune system in the face of flu season, as well as your waistline in the battle against Peppermint Mochas.

And on the subject of Peppermint Mochas, let’s all agree that festive beverages of all kinds — coffees, cocoas, and cocktails alike — are not on the Nice List. I am no Grinch this time of year; not a Christmas goes by that I won’t be baking cookies with my grandmother’s cookie cutters with my kids. And eating a few. But liquid calories are particularly dangerous, as research shows that our bodies don’t recognize nutrients we drink the same as those we eat. A quick run to Starbucks while toting around seven shopping bags and four Christmas lists can set you back over 600 calories and 68 grams of sugar! A small 8 ounce cup of eggnog has nearly 400 calories and almost 20g of fat. Yikes!

In looking at the coming weeks on your calendar and noting events to attend, go with a game plan. Avoid cutting workouts whenever possible. Stick to coffee with cream or low-sugar milk alternatives, and steer clear of mixers with liquor — vodka sodas and wine are good options at holiday mixers. Make sure to drink your water, and mindfully choose when to “treat” yourself this holiday season. Now go get your jingle on, ya filthy animals.