It’s that time of year again! It’s time for the holidays, and most of us can’t help but fall off the healthy eating wagon. The Thanksgiving turkey with all the fixings, holiday cookies and treats, and flowing cocktails can make it tough to stop consuming those unnecessary calories! Not to mention the holidays include spending time with your friends and family, and that often results in chatting and more eating! Overeating is not something you usually plan on doing, but don’t beat yourself up if you do. Instead, brush yourself off and get back on track using these seven tips:

1. Start fresh.
A new day means a new beginning. Start your post-holiday day off right by eating a balanced breakfast. Continue your day with healthy snacks and meals; most people need three meals and two snacks. Once you can get through that first day of healthy eating, each subsequent day becomes easier.

2. Track your progress.
Tracking your food and activity is a fantastic way to make yourself aware of and responsible for your habits. If you find you’re eating too many calories, figure out where they’re coming from and shave off those extra calories moving forward. If you find yourself shy a few thousand steps on your tracker, do a few laps around the neighborhood. If you are in school or work in an office sitting regularly, counting your steps may not get you there. Hit the gym for some cardio or even better, take 15-30 minutes and jump in the HOTWORX to burn calories quick at your nearest Planet Beach or HOTWORX Studio!

3. Plan ahead.
Think about the snacks and meals you want to prepare and make a shopping list. Plan your meals a few days or a week in advance so you can be fully stocked with healthy foods.

4. Cook ahead and freeze.
Part of planning is anticipating days when you’ll be just too busy with work, kids and life to worry about cooking. To prepare for those times, dedicate one day a month to cook a double batch of a healthy meal and freeze it for later. Portion the meals into single serving or family-sized containers that are safe for freezing so that they can be easily defrosted on busy days.

5. Use your slow cooker.
During the cold days of winter, there’s nothing better than getting home after a long day to the smell of something warm in the slow cooker! Make a healthy chili, soup, stew, risotto, brisket or other delicious dishes in a flash by adding the recipe ingredients to the slow cooker, stirring them and setting the machine on “cook.” When you return from work, you’ll have a mouthwatering meal waiting for you. Yes, it’s that easy.

6. Build a healthy salad.
Bulk up on a salad filled with fiber and protein to help keep you satisfied. Vegetables are very low in calories and are also filled with water, so they will hydrate you, which is especially important if you’re going to take my advice on the gym or HOTWORX infrared sauna workout!

7. Don’t fall for superfoods.
All whole foods like fruits and vegetables are “super.” They contain vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytochemicals (natural plant compounds that help prevent and fight disease) to help keep your body nourished. There’s no one food that will help you lose weight or burn fat, and eating too much of some so-called superfoods (like nuts or juices) can actually add unnecessary calories to your eating plan. The trick is eating a variety of foods in order to get a well-balanced diet, which includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, nonfat or low-fat dairy, healthy fat and lean protein. Taking in a variety of foods can be tougher than it seems, but that’s why tracking food comes in handy.

What’s important is that you get back on track after the holiday season and continue good habits to stay healthy! Now, go make the most of the time with your friends and family without beating yourself up about the inevitable extra calorie consumption!

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Written By: Paige Stuart, Planet Beach Brand Manager & Franchisee