5 Tips for Staying Healthy During the Holidays

     The Holiday season is upon us! Thanksgiving is in a few days and not long after that is Christmas and the New Year! This means a constant flow of desserts, treats, sweets, indulgent meals and lots of it! And while this food is delicious and fun to enjoy, after several weeks of indulging because 'its the holidays', you probaly aren't going to be feeling very festive!

     If you strive to eat fairly healthy, as I am sure you do, seeing as you are reading this blog, then the Holiday season might be a bit stressful for you. You might worry about hurting your friend's or family's feelings by turning down their desserts, cheeseballs or candies. What about all those parties and special gatherings you are sure to be invited to? You could just put your healthy lifestyle on hold for the holidays, which is expected by most people and completly understandable..or you might deicde to tough it out and stick to your ideals as much as possible.  I am a vegan, which, to me, isn't a 'diet' that I turn off and on, but its a lifestyle change, which means I am going to eat vegan during the holidays. How am I going to do this? Keep reading to find out!

#1 Learn to Cook!
    Makeing your own food is a sure way to insure that you will be eating the way you want to. Make your own cookies, cakes, breads and candies (or don't) to fit your diet, and enjoy those when your friends and family are enjoy theirs! Offer to bring a dish to a dinner party or potluck ( don't be shy! This is often a blessing to the host or hostess!) or at least ask the host/hostess if there will be any dishes suited for you at the gathering. If so, rejoice! If not, then plan to bring your own dish! Its really not that diffiucult, it justs takes some planning! I have several great recipes that are perfect to make during the holidays and share with your friends and family!

Vegan Pumpkin Pecan Pie
Brownie Batter Balls
Sweet Potato Casserole
Easy Holiday Truffles
Harvest Salad
Pumpkin Muffin Tops
Vegan Cinnamon Rolls

#2 Practice Moderation!
     One thing about the holidays is, they don't last forever..so, if you want to indulge a little, let yourself...just in moderation. Having a small piece of pie or one cookie every few days or so isn't going to hurt you! On Thanksgiving Day, when people usuing gorge themselves with a huge feast, just practice portion control and you will be just fine! Take a small serving of the dishes you like and you will have a delicious, well portioned meal and feel much better afterwards than if you had eaten multiple portions of everything! This can be applied to any meal really. If don't want to miss out on the food, then just eat a small bit of it and enjoy it!

# 3 Stay Active!
     There is nothing better to do during the holidays then getting some exercise! No matter what your diet is, or whether you are sticking to it during the holidays or not, being active is never a bad idea! It helps with digestion after a big meal and burn off some of those extra calories! You don't even have to spend a lot of time working out either! A simple jog or walk around the neighborhood, or doing some home exercises like pilates or yoga is enough to be beneficial! It can be fun too! If you have family or friends staying with you (or you are staying with them) invite them to come along with you! Company always makes exercising more fun!

 

Here are a few links to my blog posts where I have great workouts, link to workouts and exercising ideas!

Fall in Love with Fitness
Everyday Activities+Workouts 
'Love Yourself' Workout 
Pilates 
Daily Workouts 
Workout Video 



#4 Be Verbal!
     You can't expect people to underand your food choices if you don't explain it to them! Let people know that you are trying to eat healthier, have smaller portions, cut out certain foods or have a food allergy. This way, they know what to make when they ask you to a meal, or even help you find food to eat at a party or potluck. I have found this helpful so many times! If you tell people how you like/need to eat, then most likely they will make sure you always have something to eat, and will understand when you refuse certain foods!

#5 Eat at Home
     When you are vegan (or are following any other diet or lifestyle) it can be difficult to find things to eat at restuarants, parties and other people's houses. If you know you can't eat at a cetain place, or you aren't sure, then I suggest eating ahead of time. Instead of sitting there, hungry and wishing you could eat something, you can be full and able to participate joyfully! Don't let this make you feel left out! Accept that you eat differently that other people, and move on!  Also, I wouldn't suggest making a big deal about it either! This can make people( especially the host/hostess) feel bad or even kind of angry! Make yourself some delicious food, suited to your needs, and eat it at home before you go to the party (or where ever you are going) and enjoy yourself without stressing about the food situation!

     I hope these tips have helped you! I know that I find them pretty helpful! Eating healthy during the holidays doesn't mean your a snob or that you don't care about the holidays, it just means that you prize your health over a cookie or piece of pie! Apply these tips during the holiday season and you won't have to lose your 'holiday weight' or get back on track come January!

Share this post with your friends and family to help everyone staying healthier during the holidays! Sharing this post and my blog will help spread the message of living a healthy lifestyle, so please share to inspire others to live a healthier life!

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Happy Holidays to you and stay healthy, happy and laughing!

Hannah

Working Out at the Gym

     Before we moved, we never really went to a gym. We had a membership to one for a few months, but because it was so far away, we rarely went. So, I had never really worked out in a gym, up until recently, when we got a membership to the rec. center near us!

What I love about the rec. center is that its very family oriented, you don't have a bunch of gym-rats, and it is a ton cheaper than a normal gym! The equipment isn't high-tech, but its easy to use and it does the job! They have a range of equipment, from treadmills, stationary bikes and elliptical to weight machines, free weights and medicine balls. The only down side I have found, so far, is that you have to be 18 to use the free weights, but I am content with the weight machines right now!

Here are a few of my favorite things to do at the gym!

#1 The Treadmill
It might sound odd, but I love to run on the treadmill, but put me outside and I just don't enjoy it! I have worked myself up from a 13 minute mile to around 10 minutes to a mile. Not super fast, but that's not really my goal right now! I love to raise the incline up to really work my whole leg, put some pumping tunes on, and just GO!

#2 Leg Press
I could work my legs all day long, and using the leg press is one of my favorites! I usually start out at about 80 pounds and go up to 100-110 pounds at about 20 reps at each weight( if that makes since!).  It is a really easy machine to use, and its really effective too!

#3 Inner/Outer Thigh Machine
This is another really effective machine that I love to use! I usually do around 100-110 pounds and around 40-50 reps, switching between outer and inner thighs. This works like crazy, and you feel it too! I like to do this right after cardio on leg day, so I can sit and get my heart rate down before going on to the rest of strength training.

 

 

Usual Workout Routine

I can't stress enough the importance of changing up your workout often so that you 'keep your body guessing'. Here is what a normal week of workouts looks like for me!

 

Monday: 40 minutes of Cardio( Treadmill, Elliptical, Stair Climber, Bike...) + 20-25 minutes of Arm work with the weight machines.

 

Tuesday: 40 minutes of Cardio( I never do the same machine twice in a row) + 20-25 minutes of Leg work.

 

Wednesday: 45-50 minutes of Cardio + 15-20 minutes of mixed Leg and Arm work. I usually pick one day a week to do an extra long cardio session.

 

Thursday: 40 minutes of Cardio + 20-25 minutes of Arm work

 

Friday: 40 minutes of Cardio+ 20-25 minutes of Leg work.

 

Saturday: We usually don't go to the gym on Saturday, so I like to take a walk and/or do a few at-home workouts.

Sunday: Rest Day!

 

I try not to do the same cardio type every workout. Also, we don't always go to the gym everyday, so I will do arms one time and the next time I go do legs, whether its the next day or not. If I am sore, I take that into account and only do what I can handle. Too little is better than too much!

 

Please note that this is a schedule

 that works for me. It might not be the right thing for you. Listen to your body, know what it can and can't do, and don't do anything that will harm it!

 

 

So that's my take on working out at the gym. If you have a favorite exercise to do at the gym, or at home, please let me know! You can follow the blog via email, Google, Pinterest @ Hannah Plunkett, and on Twitter @ SpinachisGOOD.

 

Please share this post and my blog with a friend and family member to spread the love for healthy living!

 

New post every Monday and Friday!

 

Keep Healthy and SAFE!

H. Banana

Getting Ready for Spring Part 3

  Spring is just around the corner, and even though its cold now, we will soon be breaking out the tank-tops and sundresses. My past posts have been about cleaning up the food-part of your life, but this post is different. A healthy diet is necessary but an active lifestyle is key to over-all health. Spring is about new beginnings for everything and everyone, and its a great time to start a healthy journey or take yours up a notch!

#1
Starting Your Active Lifestyle. This is easier, much easier, than it sounds!  Maybe you don't think you have time, the equipment, or know-how to workout or get active, but you don't need a lot of any of those! Being active can be accomplished in a number of ways! Like; parking your car out a little further from the store, walking or riding a bike to work or school(if you live near enough), or walking the dog. Working out doesn't have to take hours, 20 or 30 minutes is plenty! You don't need any equipment but your body to get results! I encourage you to take a few minutes to think about how you can incorporate working out into your day. I like the saying, 'If you have time for Facebook, you have to workout!' because it is true! Spring is a great time to jump start your active lifestyle because the weather is warmer and you can be outside a lot more, plus you want to look good in those short-sleeves and bathing suites right?

 #2
Kicking your Workouts up a notch. So, maybe you are already pretty active, but you are doing the same old thing everyday. Most people(including myself) are guilty or doing the same exercise everyday. Changing it up every week or so is very important to see results. Spring is a great time to try out new workouts or exercises. I know for myself, I am working on sculpting my arms to look good in tank-tops and short-sleeves. Also, its important to focus on the whole body, not just one part of it. I am not just lifting weights to try and tone my arms, but I am working my whole body with several different workouts. Here is a quick, full-body workout you can try to get ready for Spring!

50 Squat Jumps( Works the legs. Starting in a squat and jump, landing with bent knees, repeat.)
10 Push-ups (Works the chest, arms and core. Start in a Plank position and press up and down.)
10 Butterfly Crunches.( Works the thighs and core. With the legs in a lifted 'butterfly' position, and arms behind the head, bring you head to met your feet.)
50 Calf Raises (Works the Calves. Standing up straight, simple go on your tippy toes and the back down. repeat)
50 Bumble Bee Pulses (Works the shoulders and arms. Standing or sitting, hold your arms out to your side and pulse up and down)
50 Bunny Hops ( Works the legs. Bend your knees and start 'hopping' up and down in place)
50 Duck Squats (Works the legs. Start with you legs a little wider than your shoulders and your toes pointed out. Squat up and down.)

See? Working out doesn't have to take a lot of time, equipment or know-how! That workout is pretty simple, but repeating it a few times or pairing it with a run or some yoga can make it a full-blown exercise routine! Please be careful and only do this workout if you are able! I don't want you to get hurt!

I hope this post encourages you to be active and start a working out, or take your daily workouts up a notch! Getting Ready for Spring is exciting and fun for every part of your life! If you liked this post, check out my other Spring post (Getting Ready for Spring Part 1 and 2) and please share with a friend!

Pictures are from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

Keep healthy and SAFE!
H.Banana