Easter comes with many opportunities for special treats and along with that comes the excuses we give ourselves to indulge. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all about allowing myself the occasional treat. It’s not realistic to think we aren’t going to go off plan, in fact, it should be expected. But that doesn’t mean we should just throw caution to the wind and eat our hearts out. So here are my biggest tips for keeping it under control but still allowing yourself to enjoy the holiday.
Tip 1
Keep your exercise going. Regardless of what is happening in your kitchen, staying consistent with your exercise routine will help you stay intentional. While we know that exercise burns calories, this isn’t the most important factor because it’s impossible to out exercise a bad diet. Exercise regulates your appetite which is super important if you’re planning on enjoying some Easter sweets. Sugar is a HUGE appetite stimulant so the exercise will help negate that.
Tip 2
Pick your treat day – Don’t tell yourself you’re going to eat ALL the things. Instead, tell yourself exactly what you intend to do and write it down. You can say “On Sunday I’m going to enjoy Easter dinner with 3 pieces of chocolate or a slice of Mom’s pie”, and then stick to it! Tell yourself to enjoy the moment, savor it, and then expect to get right back on track. Just because you ate a chocolate bunny or 3 Easter cookies doesn’t mean you’ve ruined anything. Life is meant to be enjoyed and you’re taking the time to learn how to do that in moderation.\
Tip 3
Eliminate perfection from your mindset – There is NO one on this planet that can stick to their healthy lifestyle plan 100% of the time. It’s not sustainable and it definitely isn’t enjoyable. Instead, think of the 80/20 rule. This allows you to meet your health goals and eliminates the cognitive distortion All or Nothing thinking that can really be a barrier to sticking to your plan. We think we “blew it” so we give up. Don’t do that. You deserve to enjoy what you eat.
Tip 4.
Do NOT call it “Cheat Day” – Cheating insinuates you’re doing something bad and gives ALL the power to the food. And that makes it all the more desirable. Just eat the darn thing, track it, and move on.
Tip 5.
Keep the rest of your weekend healthy. You’ve picked your Treat Day, you’ve written it down and you have a clear plan on what you are going to enjoy. Use this as a motivator to eat sensibly the remainder of the holiday weekend. One of the biggest mistakes I see my clients make during holidays such as Easter, is not having a plan. Your plan is EVERYTHING. Tracking, planning, eating healthy and lighter on the other days, and keeping your workouts on point can make all the difference in the world.
