From Issue 108 — 2025 Cover Issue
Cue the bells, dim the lights, and dust off the ‘emergency’ credit card. Because once again, holiday season is upon us.
The final six weeks of the year tend to conjure up equal parts excitement and dread. Parties? Yes. Presents? Hell yes. That extra layer of fat on your stomach? Nooooooo.
On top of the tinsel, cookies, and questionable sweater choices this season brings, there seems to be one other constant: alcohol. You’re almost certainly going to drink more than you would any other time of the year. More booze, more often, earlier in the evening. Plus all the junk food and snack binges that come with it.
Despite all the potential disastrous fun that’s lurking, you actually can have a great time this holiday season – see your friends, eat and drink, stay out too late – without being hung over all month. And without getting fat by Christmas. But you need a strategy.
At the risk of sounding like a Debbie Downer, if you want to party, you’ve got to follow a few rules. Structure and guidelines will give you freedom.
Limit yourself to three drinks max
An old drinking buddy of mine once said, “the third drink is the gateway to bad decisions.” I slurringly replied, “Yah that’s the truth,” and ordered another. The night didn’t end well.
Moderating yourself on a big night is easier than it sounds. Alternate mocktails with real drinks. Have a club soda or diet coke nearby so you’re not sucking down tequila all night. Or drink light beer (which is mostly water anyway). It will feel like you’re in it for the long haul, but you’ll be drinking a lot less.
So three “real” drinks is your limit. And two is even better.
Avoid fatty, carb-rich foods
Drinks and treats are equally to blame for your post-holiday waistline. And since it isn’t realistic for you to avoid both, you have to learn how to balance them.
On days where you have a holiday party, avoid starchy carbs like bread, pasta, rice, etc. And especially stay away from holiday sweets as much as you can. Eat as much protein and fruit/veggies as you can throughout the day so your body is nourished without the excess calories.
Don’t drink alcohol when you’re hungry
This one may require some planning. Especially for after-work, early evening events.
As tempting as it is to have two glasses of champagne before the hors d’oeuvre tray heads your way, try to avoid this scenario as much as possible. Have a big lunch or some protein-rich afternoon snacks. And have a solid dinner plan for after the party.
Having some food in your stomach (and a plan for later) will keep you buzzing all evening instead of slurring and stumbling by 9PM.
Stay hydrated
This shouldn’t be too hard if you’re truly alternating mocktails and weak drinks for boozy ones. But regardless of what that looks like, drink water! Alcohol is dehydrating and you’ll thank yourself later for mitigating that.
And not just while you’re out. If you have a big holiday party coming up tonight, get ahead of your water intake early in the day. Sure you may have to pee all night, but it’s better than feeling like crap the entire next day.
Have a next-day plan
Planning activities for tomorrow can help keep you honest tonight. Schedule a workout that you’re not going to miss. If it’s a class, trainer session, or workout with a friend, even better.
Even a holiday shopping trip can help you burn some calories and sweat a little. And while you can’t literally “sweat out the booze,” some post drinking activity helps get you back on track quickly.
How to take it further
The holiday season is full of health pitfalls, and they’re not all booze-related.
I put together a quick and easy guide to help you navigate the holidays with ease so you can stay in control of your health and fitness straight into January. You can download it here:
Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy, Your Holiday Fitness Survival Guide.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12eoqftbSf71WYdEROxGCzDzvuNMqRG7_/view?usp=sharing
