Weight gain over the holidays is always a concern, but my guest blogger, Gabriela, author of Renaissance Life and Renaissance Woman ( lots of healthy recipes) has 3 powerful strategies that can help you maintain, detox, and glow even during this season of eating!! This is a great post so enjoy!
Gabriela
Greetings!
My name is Gabriela and I'm a health coach
and blogger over at Renaissance Life.
After struggling for many years with extreme exhaustion, dizziness, skin
problems, and respiratory issues, I experienced complete healing through a
change in diet. Because of my own experiences, I'm passionate about
sharing my knowledge to encourage others on their own path to health!
Thanks Judee, for having me here at Gluten Free A-Z!
Living for Health During the Holidays
Oh I love this time of year - smack-dab in
the middle of the holidays! The generous, joyous spirit and festive
holiday decorations, seeing friends and family - all of it. It's a good
time.
But there is one thing that's not so
welcome. The generous spirit of the season can also be a little too
generous with overeating, sickness, and unwanted weight gain.
It's true, healthfully speaking, we're in
the most challenging time of the year. The abundant feasting of
Thanksgiving can set a pretty fine stage for back-sliding all the way through
to New Year's can't it? Well, that's only if we let it! While
appearances seem to be against us, rest assured it is more than possible to maintain,
improve, and even come out far ahead on our
health goals during the "most wonderful time of the year"!
With Thanksgiving behind us, we've got
about a two week window of time before Christmas to give ourselves a health
boost before "the next go-round". How about we put some
strategies to work for us! I'm ready to set myself up for success leading
up to, through, and after the holidays. (Not to mention grabbing a jump
start on New Year's resolutions.) Are you with me?
The Big 3
I've found that there are three powerful
strategies that are invaluable in not only maintaining weight but keeping your
overall health this time of year. These work together effectively and
build on each other, so if possible give all three of them a go at once.
And when you do, lookout! You'll see some very positive changes.
And they are...
Detox
Boost Immune System
Portion Control
Detox
Detoxing... Think of it as a deep
clean. We all need one now and again! Some benefits of detoxifying
your body are: improved clarity of mind, clearer skin, increase in energy,
healthy weight-loss, and getting rid of drainage and congestion. (If you
have bad allergies, try detoxing!)
On a personal note, I like to take about
week every couple months or so and detox. Some effective ways I detox is
by drinking warm water with freshly squeezed lemon juice as soon as I rise in
the morning, starting my day with a green
juice or a smoothie, eating
fresh fruits and veggies and staying away from processed foods. When your
body is in detox or "super clean" mode, it's vital to make sure
you're getting 8 - 10 hours of sleep as it's working hard and needs
time to recharge.
Here are a few of my favorite recipes that
gently support your body's natural detoxifying process as well as promote
weight-loss:
Power Juice, Ultimate Fountain of Youth
Smoothie, and in my post, "A Case of the Winter
Blues - and how to bust 'em!", you'll find Herb Salad, Insanely Moist
Rosemary Chicken, & Coconut Cereal with
Pom Jewels. (scroll down on the page to see recipes)
Boost Immune System
This one is obvious! Who wants to be
coming down with the flu or a cold right now? (Or ever, really.) No
one!
Another benefit to detoxing is that it's a
huge immune system booster. Green juices and smoothies are immune
building as well (see how it all works together?). Leafy greens contain
massive amounts of vitamins and minerals and give your body an edge in fending
off disease.
For added benefit, start taking a
probiotic daily. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that support healthy
intestines. Healthy digestion is crucial for the proper absorption of
nutrients as well as the swift and efficient exiting of toxins from the
body. When your body is laboring to process food it can cause partially
digested matter to decompose while still in the body.
Without getting too
in-depth here, this can cause the lining of the intestine walls to rot.
This is Leaky Gut Syndrome - when toxins leak into the blood stream and cause
all sorts of problems! (We get bombarded with pathogens from without who
wants 'em from within?)
Another effective and simple way to guard
against sickness is by drinking herbal teas. Echinacea is a powerful herb
that protects the immune system and is available in many different tea
brands. Try Celestial
Seasonings, Yogi, or Traditional Medicinals.
It's always nice to have a warm something to drink when it's cold out.
Why not have it be building your health up as you sip?
Portion Control
Ah ha. This one can be a little
tough at first. We all know this but... we eat too much! Abundant
is different than excessive. It is good to enjoy abundance but it is
harmful to eat excessively. Extra, unnecessary food (especially if it has
little nutritional benefit) just puts a drag on our bodies and strain on the
wardrobe! Pesky little calories! So what are some ways to cut back
on the portions we take and how much is enough?
A good rule of thumb is eat what can fit
in both of your slightly cupped hands. Eyeball it when you serve
yourself. If you're at a restaurant feel free to put extra food in a to
go box right away so you won't be tempted. Chew food slowly, enjoying the
tastes and textures - don't inhale! Give yourself half an hour to enjoy
your meal. Remember, don't rush.
Food really is a gift and should
be enjoyed. If you're still hungry, sit a few minutes before going for
more. Your brain signals when it's full down to the stomach and it's a
good idea to give your brain the chance to make the call before you go off and
stuff yourself. ;)
The Sugar On Top
The key to all this - the sugar on top -
is something we all know but need to be reminded of...
No one can make us do or EAT something
that is outside of our health goals. Yes, avoiding unhealthy food takes a
little planning and forethought. But it's oh so worth it! Because
giving yourself the gift of health is also giving to others.
Let's be empowered this holiday season to
take care of ourselves! And when you feel tempted to completely leap off
the wagon (so to speak) here's a trick: invoke the power of the
"NO". Really. It will work. ;) (For more on
navigating holiday parties without completely blowing your health check out
this post.)
So gear up to enjoy greater well-being
this Christmas and New Year's and be a glowing, healthier you! Because
you are worth it!
For other helpful and motivating posts
please visit my blog at Renaissance
Woman, I'd be happy to have you drop in!
_________________________________________________________________
Gabriela,
Thanks so much for your informative and inspirational post; I know that I'll be using some of the ideas.
Please remember to leave Gabriela
Will be shared on the following blog carnivals..
Pity Party Party Mindie Style; ; Strut Your Stuff Saturday; Seasonal Inspiration @ Crumbs and Chaos
Sunday
Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper, I Gotta Create. Petite Hermine Sunday Linky Sunday Blog Love; Sunday Linky Party;Sundae Scoop; Seasonal Sundays; Sunday Show Off; It's so Very Cheri; Sunday Showcase Party; Natashia in Oz Sunday Seasonal Celebration, Sugar-Free Sunday , Souper Sunday
Monday
My Meatless Mondays ;Mouthwatering Mondays ; Monday Mania ;; Mangia Mondays; ; Motivate Me Mondays; ; Made It Monday; Making Your Home Sing Monday; Making the World Cuter Monday; Amaze Me Mondays; Motivated Mondays ;Homestead Barn Hop ; Make Your Own Mondays ; A Marvelous Monday ; Savvy Homemade Monday Just another Meatless Monday, Meet Me Monday Mix it up Monday Must Try Monday Making you crave Mondays Organizing Junkie's Meal Plan Monday Veggie Mama's Meatless Monday On the Menu Monday In the Gumbo Monday Yummy Inspriations Breakfast Mealtime Monday Gluten Free Weekly Menu Jo-Lynnes Weekly Mean Plan Natural Living Momma
Tuesday
Tasty Tuesdays; Tempt My Tummy Tuesday ; Naptime Creations Tasty Tuesday Link Party; Show Me What You Got ; Tip Me Tuesday at Tip Junkie ; Tuesday To Do List; Tuesday Time Out Inspiration Party; ; Anti-Procrastination Tuesday; Tuesday Confessional; Topsy Turvy Tuesday; Tuesday Talent Show at Chef in Training ; Tutorial Tuesday ; Tuesday Time Out ; Domestically Divine Tuesday ; Take a Look Tuesday ;Hearth and Soul Hop ; Frugal Tuesday Tip Tuesday ; Slightly Indulgent Tuesday Traditional Tuesdays, Fat Tuesday Allergy Friendly lunchbox Tuesday Friend and Follow Slightly Indulgent Tuesday
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