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Health & Fitness

Blog: What's All This About Surviving the Holidays?

Enjoy that quality time, take some time off from work, sample some goodies in moderation, do not neglect your health, your family, or overburden your finances.

What's all this about surviving the holidays? I mean really. Surviving the holidays??? What the heck is this all about?

I can see wanting to survive an illness or some other grave situation, but the holidays? Really? Not.  I look forward to the holidays: Spending quality time with family and friends, all the decorations, lights, music, the tree, the smells. Wow, this is all good stuff in my book.

It is also my time to create fabulous foods for the Christmas morning breakfast. Life does not get better than this.  I am seeing so many articles, tips, commercials, etc. on how to survive the holidays and a big yuck. 

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If you have been following my Blog, you know that I am always candid and share my life and thoughts. Well what a peeve.  Really a Darla soap box moment here ... I do not use any holiday as an excuse to set aside my healthy lifestyle to gorge on unhealthy crap. I mean really? Why?  Do I sample things, and enjoy treats throughout the season? A BIG yes But I certainly do not make a 3-month adventure out of it, meaning Thanksgiving to the New Year, Hell to the BIG no. 

My healthy lifestyle is what maintains me and the word “lifestyle” says it all - holiday or not.  If I did not live this way, I certainly do not feel I could walk the shoes of teaching fitness to so many fabulous people. Practice what I preach all the way or nothing.  Am I a scrooge? No. As I shared, I do sample this and that but sitting and eating, let’s say a whole plate of mash potatoes and gravy, do not think so. 

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I am really not fond of that anyway, but sampling fabulous home baked Christmas cookies, well, now that deserves a nibble or two. ;)  Everything in moderation and I do not plan cheat days or even cheat meals.  If the desire strikes me to sample a cookie, well, I sample a cookie. Simple as that: Tasted, swallowed, done, moving on.   Why has it come this far to say that a holiday needs to be survived? What marketing hype. Yes, it really is. 

Has everyone gone completely off their rocker to not realize the meaning of the Christmas holiday and what really matters in this life?  I am talking about the shopping hoopla as well. I am definitely not a Black Friday girl or any kind of shop-till-I drop woman. That sounds so overwhelmingly not fun and not the way I want to spend the day. Now give me a meet for tea with hubby or girlfriend and having my list in hand to purchase something at a nearby store, now that is fabulous. 

I actually prefer the comfort of online shopping in my jammies with no shipping charges or tax - a win-win (plugging Amazon here). My son turned me onto this site and I must say, I am impressed with the savings on the items, not to mention the wear and tear on my vehicle and the gas prices: No way.  I mean really, the Christmas season is truly not about how much money I can make, spend, most expensive toys, or how much food I can eat. Really???  The holiday is such a special time for me to spend with my family and friends, to make wonderful memories, look forward to laughter, board games, and cozy fires. This is what I enjoy about my life around the holidays. 

Is this something for me to survive? No. I am a simple girl who is deep into the meaning of being healthy all the way around so I will not gorge for days on end until I feel sick, depressed and guilt ridden, or spend dollars until I am stressed and worried about how I will pay the bills. Is this healthy? No.

So I guess what I am trying to say in a healthy way is Happy Holidays. Join me in taking the time to reflect on all the fabulous things to be thankful for. Enjoy that quality time, take some time off from work, sample some goodies in moderation, do not neglect your health, your family, or overburden your finances. I believe that life is a precious gift and I plan to soak up every meaningful moment I can during the holiday. No rewinds in this life and no regrets. Stay Healthy!

Merry Christmas from My House to Yours

Bake My Stay Healthy Chocolate Pumpkin Brownies over the Holiday!

Click Here for the Recipe: Stay Healthy Flourless Chocolate Pumpkin Brownies

I also added a special 1000 rep challenge to complete over a 10-day period!

Click Here for the Challenge: 1000 reps in 10 Days

Also enjoy my complete personal blog here, where  I will be sharing my Stay Healthy Life with you through my example of what I do to maintain my health, physique, and being my best me at 47!!! I look forward to blogging for you. Stay tuned for recipes, articles, links, videos, and very personal shares!!

Stay Healthy!

Darla ;)

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