It’s All About Balance
Our editors share their best tips and strategies for managing the excesses of the festive feast season.
I’m a runner and like to have a road or trail race on the calendar for March or April, which means I need to lace up and get out the door to train during the holidays—even if it’s just a walk to get moving. This also gives me a head start on healthy habits to carry into the new year, so all I have to do is keep exercising instead of creating a new routine that’s hard to stick to. ERIN HOOKER, assistant food editor
I like to make small healthy swaps—for example, Greek yogurt in place of sour cream in mashed potatoes—so I can feel better about the feast.
MAGGIE GOLDSMITH, associate art director
FROM OUR RESIDENT HEALTH NUT
This time of year, I make sure to keep up with my exercise routine. I try to ride the exercise bike or Peloton almost every day, even if it’s just for 20 minutes.
The activity helps balance any extra calories I consume, and the music I listen to while riding makes it a fun time to take for myself.
Plus, exercise releases those feel-good endorphins that help counteract stress.
At holiday meals, I eat what I want, but I pay attention to eating slowly and mindfully so I don’t overeat. That way, I end up getting to eat a little bit of all my favorite things. AMY BRIGHTFIELD, health & features director
When it comes to holiday, excesses, I say, “Treat yourself!” It all works out in the end.
JENNIFER MADARA, creative director
Breakfast is still the most important meal of the day, even during the holiday season, and saving room for a big meal by skipping others during the day doesn’t really work. I try to make sure I’m eating three regular meals a day, even if one of those meals is a celebratory one. By sticking to something close to my routine, I avoid that awful cycle of starving to super full to starving again, which ends up leaving me cranky and tired. LAUREN PHILLIPS, associate director, special projects, BHG.com
ILLUSTRATIONS: LAMONT O’NEAL