In this post, I’m sharing 5 tips for surviving Easter on a diet. Easter is one of those holidays with wayyyyy too many sweets. And decadent holiday meals. It can be a stressful time of year for those wanting to maintain their calorie deficit or diet. So here’s what I do anytime holidays get hard or tempting!
5 tips for surviving Easter on a diet
Easter’s on the way. And that means family gatherings, and a visit from the Easter Bunny…but that can feel like a bit of a “nightmare” for some of us. Especially if (like me) you have a bit of a sweet tooth!
But if you’re worried that indulging in a little chocolate might ruin your “gains”…don’t be! Stop stressing, and follow these survival tips instead:
1. Go for what you like, instead of a “healthy” version you don’t enjoy as much.
I know this goes against what most fitness professionals out there will tell you. But the truth is that people tend to overeat foods labeled as “healthy.” Studies show that we tend to think of “healthy” food as being less filling…so to compensate, we eat even more of it. Instead of reaching for a substitution, grab the real thing—just don’t eat so much!
2. Share the calories…I mean, the chocolate.
I can 100% vouch for this one! My husband is a man with a HUGE appetite, so I can always use his help with eating half of my calories… and, funnily enough, I’ve actually noticed that I haven’t eaten as much since we got married. Before, if the food was there, and nobody took it, I’d eat it—because I didn’t want it to go to waste! Now, my husband eats all the cookies and chocolate before I get the chance to even contemplate finishing it, LOL.
3. Get moving.
It’s very unlikely you’ll be able to “make up for” the extra calories you eat, just by working out or adding a few extra walks. But doing some exercise can help a little—and most importantly, it helps you stay positive and mentally on track (instead of just sitting on the couch worrying about all the food you’ve just eaten). Park your car further away, take the stairs, take the dog for a walk after lunch…these are great ways of increasing your “calories out”!
4. Keep an eye on your caloric budget.
I like to tell the girls I coach that calories are like a budget. You won’t be going on a month-long vacation to Bali if you’re earning minimum wage. So if you know you’re going out for a big lunch at your family’s house (with chocolate galore going on)…it’s probably wise to follow Dave Ramsey’s economic principles…but, in this case for your food (and waistline).
5. Don’t obsess!
Enjoy this time with your family, and the amazing food family reunions have to offer. If you’re normally on point with your nutrition and training, it’s very unlikely that one day of going a bit overboard will do much damage, the same way that dieting for one day won’t give you overnight results.
So, do yourself a favor. Let go of that chocolate-associated guilt, eat some of what you want (in moderation!), and enjoy this holiday with the people you love.
And do yourself another favor… download one of my free workout plans! You can sneak away for a mere 15 minutes and get in a full-body and high-intensity workout that will leave you feeling refreshed and ready for seconds! Grab your free copy here.
Help other mamas survive Easter on a diet! Save this post to Pinterest and follow me (@nathaliamelofit) for more!
