A midlife woman’s guide to enjoying the holiday season and staying healthy
The sound of sleigh bells is in the air, and, with it, all of the big meals, alcohol, and excess that often comes at this time of year. Whether you’re just starting your weight-loss journey, or you have a few months of building healthy habits behind you, this time of year can be intimidating. Will your progress disappear after a few mince pies too many? Will your hard-fought healthy routines be lost to late nights and a packed social calendar?
The first thing to do is to go easy on yourself. If you eat and drink a little more than usual at this time of year – you won’t be alone – and a few big meals and celebratory get-togethers won’t throw all your hard work out of the window. Give yourself space to indulge a little more than usual – if you feel comfortable doing so – while keeping a foundation of healthy habits to ensure all your hard work doesn’t go to waste.
Here are some ways to stay on track whatever Christmas throws at you.
Indulge mindfully
What do you really enjoy eating or drinking at this time of year?
It’s easy to get sucked into a ‘more is more’ attitude which sees you indulging for weeks on end and eating and drinking high-calorie, high-sugar, and low-nutrient foods that leave you constantly bloated and exhausted.
Try to approach food mindfully – eating those things that will genuinely give you pleasure while ensuring you include healthy, clean, and nutritious meals alongside some indulgent treats.
It doesn’t have to be all or nothing and learning to approach food mindfully is a great skill to develop as you continue on your weight-loss journey. There is no ‘naughty or nice’ here – just approaching eating in a sensible way that serves you and your weight-loss goals.
Watch alcohol intake
Alcohol kills restraint and sensible eating. Not only does alcohol lower our inhibitions, but it also has a negative impact on how our bodies store fat – suppressing fat burning in the same way as carbohydrates. It can also impact hormonal balance, increasing cortisol levels and throwing your metabolism out of sync.
In short, alcohol isn’t good for us, and you should aim to keep it to a minimum, even at this time of year. By keeping moderate drinking to one or two days a week over the festive period, you can give your body plenty of time to detox and recover.
If you are drinking alcohol, it’s essential to stay hydrated (see my tips below!) and match every glass of the hard stuff with some good old-fashioned H2O.
Keep moving
It’s so tempting to just stop.
You’ve worked hard all year, you’re tired, it’s cold, and part of you just wants to hibernate. But regular movement supports your mental and physical health while helping to burn off some of those extra festive calories.
By keeping moving, through a workout, or simply a brisk daily walk, you can prevent that sluggish feeling that often comes with overeating and spending lots of time indoors. Get fresh air and sunlight, and, most of all, keep your body moving!
It’s amazing how putting in a little energy can help us feel more energised the rest of the time.
Stay hydrated
When you eat rich food and indulge in alcohol in warm houses it’s easy to get dehydrated fast. Plenty of pure H20 will help to stave off brain fog and leave you feeling bright and energised even if you’re tired or you’ve eaten or drunk a bit more than you were planning to.
What’s more – just like with regular exercise – when you stay hydrated, you’re much more likely to make healthy choices.
When they’re feeling dehydrated, foggy, and exhausted people often reach for caffeine or high-sugar snacks which offer an immediate energy boost followed by an even greater slump. Instead, when you feel that festive fatigue, reach for a simple glass of water!
Put things in perspective
The festive period is a few days out of a whole year. So, if you’re battling the belly fat like many menopausal women, change your mindset. Think of midlife weight management as a lifestyle change for the long haul, not a temporary fix. You can’t ‘fall off’ a lifestyle change; you simply continue the journey the next day, or the one after that.
Staying calm amidst the festive fa-la-la.
As midlife women, we need to take stress management seriously. Stress hampers weight loss, can worsen menopausal symptoms and even impact our health. But while the TV ads will have us believing that midlife women everywhere glide through the festive season like the three ships sailing in, the reality is that this time of year is often one of the most stressful. So, amidst the festive chaos, prioritise stress management. Whether it’s a quiet moment with a book or a brisk walk in the crisp winter air, find what soothes your soul.
And finally…
Embrace your appearance
Wear that sequined dress with pride. You’re not hiding from age; you’re embracing the beauty of every chapter.
The festive season for midlife women is often a bag as mixed as Santa’s sack – in it you find the good, the bad and the ugly. Do things your way and that’s the best way. And as you turn the page on 2025, remember that I am here with you supporting you on your journey.
Have a truly wonderful, happy and healthy Christmas!
Di x
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