Feasting, Fitness, and Finding Balance: Navigating the Holiday Season

Ah, the holiday season—the time for Christmas, New Year’s, Hanukkah, and countless others, celebrations filled with cherished family gatherings and an abundance of delectable, carb-laden delights. It’s a time for feasting, yet amidst this indulgence, we can find ourselves stressing or concerned about calorie intake versus expenditure, taking all the natural enjoyment away. And made worse by the fact that most gyms are closed for the day or two. Contemplation on how we can burn off all the extra calories and feel better with ourselves persists.

See, the thing is, it is a matter of perspective. Many folks I chat with are fixated on burning those extra calories, worried about fat gain. My perspective diverges slightly. For me, food serves as fuel, a resource to be harnessed and directed to benefit our bodies. Inevitably, during the holidays, feasting becomes a norm, and I strive to use every bit of it purposefully.

I welcome the surplus protein or the additional carbs, not solely to incinerate calories or fret about gaining weight, but to fuel stronger lifts and work toward the muscle mass I’ve been striving for. 

It would be nice if my gym stayed open during the holidays for this reason. I get it – everyone deserves time with their families, including the hardworking employees. Still, it’s a 24-hour gym with a security turnstile, often unmanned especially overnight. Just picture the potential for a killer pre-feast workout! I remember my old gym; they’d open for half a day on Christmas and Thanksgiving mornings. Those mega sessions were legendary, fueling up before indulging in the holiday feast.

Either way what you need to keep in mind is that this isn’t a regular or frequent eating pattern. You won’t eat like this everyday or very often especially if you are health conscious or care about your fitness. And sometimes you just have to let it go and enjoy a bit of indulgence without feeling bad about it because that not only takes the enjoyment out of it but can actually make it spiral. 

If it helps you take your mind off these concerns or even if you still want to restrict your indulgence due to how it may affect your training or physique, some experts actually suggest viewing calorie balance not in daily terms but weekly in general. They believe that the body doesn’t consume the calories as broken down by day, but rather measured over the space of the week.

Following this method allows for balancing out the surplus calories consumed during a holiday feasting across the week. Simply consume less calories over the other days of the week to create room for more calorie consumption on the day of feasting. It’s a way to alleviate any concerns or unease stemming from a one-time indulgence, like a lavish Christmas dinner. Otherwise, relish the moment and use it as fuel as I would.

It’s crucial not to let these thoughts consume your being or sap your energy. Refrain from dwelling on it excessively. I’ve experienced how self-consciousness about food choices can monopolize our minds, often leading us to verbalize our regrets about eating. 

Breaking free from this cycle and not thinking about it too much isn’t easy, especially when it occupies a substantial part of your day and processes. On the average day, you are careful what you eat and you train hard and it makes it difficult not to be concerned about it. I get it. I’ve been there. But this is the challenge of life. Sometimes, you’ve just got to enjoy things for what they are.