5 Tips to Making this December Your Healthiest Yet

Update: I had a wonderful thanksgiving and break last week. I ate so many sweet potatoes, I may just turn into one. But overall, I made healthy choices in the food department, and I worked out every day (twice on Thanksgiving, miraculously). I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving as well!

Anyways...

Still feeling bloated and tired from Thanksgiving? Feeling like you are on a slippery slope to an unhealthy end to this year? Well, November is now in the past, and so is that Thanksgiving feast, so jump into December with a healthy attitude! Listed is 5 tips to making this December, which is usually a time filled with unhealthy choices, your healthiest yet, so that you can end the year right :)

1. Drink LOTS of water- Up your water intake this December! It's so easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of hot chocolate and holiday flavored coffees, that sometimes we forget about our best friend, water. It's important to drink water throughout the day to keep your body healthy. Sometimes when you think you are hungry, you might really just be dehydrated. Personally, I wake up every morning and drink about 20 oz of water before doing anything, but even just a cup will do! If you prefer hot drinks in the winter, drink hot water with a slice of lemon, not only will you be hydrating, but it will also serve as a natural detox! 
2. Set several small goals and one large goal- To keep yourself on track set goals. Set a large goal first, for example, lose 5 lbs this December. Then set small, attainable goals that will get you to the larger goal, for example, go to the gym five times a week and only allow yourself one treat a week. These are just examples, and it's up to you to come up with your own goals, but it is important to have goals to keep yourself on track this month, and every month. 
3. Don't rely on the gym- It's getting cold and motivation is low. Perhaps you don't feel like leaving the house to go to the gym. Well..... that's no problem at all! Don't rely on getting your exercise in the gym, but also don't just not workout because you can't make it to the gym. Working out in your living room, or wherever you have space, is easy. Go through my workouts I've posted, and watch some youtube videos, because I know it isn't always easy. This is also important to consider when you are traveling. You can do jumping jacks and push ups anywhere, trust me! 
4. Make your own meals when you can- Around the holidays eating dinner at a restaurant is a common occurrence, at least for me.  If this is also the case for you, try to restrain from eating food on the run or in a restaurant when you don't have to. Obviously, it's okay to get together with the girls on Friday night or with the family, but on a Tuesday, stay in and make a healthy home cooked meal. Plan ahead and try to eat healthy throughout the whole week, so when your weekend restaurant trips come around, then you won't feel as bad. You can even make it one of your small goals to cut back on your restaurant food intake. 
5. Build willpower and use it- It may be hard to restrain from the Christmas cookies and eggnog, but use willpower. While having a cookie here and there is okay (MODERATION), use your willpower to not eat too much. It is important to build willpower, and this is the perfect chance to do so. Tell yourself that you don't need another cookie or another cup of hot chocolate. Restrain yourself and give yourself the useful gift of willpower this December. 

I hope this helps you end the year in a healthy way!