Healthy Through the Holidays

This blog post was taken from Episode 27 - Healthy for the Holidays on the Fit For His Glory Podcast. Listen now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Hey friend,

The holiday season is here—cue the festive lights, cozy gatherings, and, let’s be real, endless buffets of treats. If you’re like me, the mix of joy and (if I'm honest) a little bit of overwhelm around staying healthy during this time feels familiar. But guess what? We can enjoy the holidays and stay feeling our best. PLUS it's a great opportunity to be a light to your family and friends as you share the JOY of pursuing health for God's glory! 

Here are some takeaways from our latest podcast on how to stay Healthy Through the Holidays:

1. Shift Your Mindset

Holidays are about connection, not perfection. In our latest podcast with Caroline on Healthy Through the Holidays, she emphasizes that it’s not about viewing foods as good or bad but about enjoying all foods in moderation and having balance. It’s okay to indulge in Grandma’s famous pie—just pair it with choices that honor your body too. It's not about how we look or even focused on our weight, but stewarding our bodies well and feeling our best so we can enjoy the season fully! 

2. Plan with Intention

In the podcast, Caroline suggests setting realistic, not restrictive, goals. Think about what feels good—maybe a morning walk with the family before the big meal or mindful portions during dinner, not getting something just because it's there but only getting the items you love most. Planning isn’t about restriction, but fully enjoying the foods that are your favorite! 

3. Grace, Not Guilt

We know from Scripture that it's literally not possible to be perfect. So why do we beat ourselves up when we fall short? If you have a day where you overate, embrace it as part of the season’s joy. What a privilege it is to have enough food that we eat too much! The key is realizing that is one day out of 365 days of the year. Remember that Lamentations 3:22-23 shares that His mercies are new every morning: that applies to your fitness journey too, friend. Your slate is clean. Every day is a new opportunity to serve the Lord with your body so you can let the past go and just keep moving forward.

4. Practical Tips

• Hydration: Start the day with water to keep energy steady and curb overindulgence.
• Protein First: Focus on filling up with lean proteins and veggies before hitting the dessert table.
• Macro Mindful: We love tracking macros in this season because it gives us the freedom to enjoy all things in moderation! You can easily plan ahead for holiday parties, family gatherings and more. Then on holidays, you can fully enjoy and step away from tracking completely because you have been disciplined on the other days! Hello, balance! 
• Movement Matters: Even short bursts of movement, like playing with the kids or a quick dance session, can make a difference. Shoot to get 10,000 steps every single day. This way even if you aren't able to get in the gym or lift weights at home like normal, you are still moving enough to feel your best.

5. Remember the Big Picture

The holidays come once a year, and they’re about so much more more than food or fitness. We want to encourage you to lean into the memories, the laughter, the traditions and the true meaning behind the holidays: celebrating a Savior who has blessed us with so much to be grateful for, and who sent His only Son to the Earth to live and die for us. Do not let the enemy rob your joy of this season with something like food.

Remember, your health should add to your joy in this season, not take away from it.

So, here’s to a season filled with peace, joy, and balance. Let’s enjoy the treats, celebrate our bodies as a gift, and keep showing up for ourselves.

You've got this! 🎄✨

We love you friends! 

Caroline + Courtney