Christmas Survival Guide
How to Enjoy the Holidays, Reduce Stress, and Start the New Year Strong
Between shopping, parties, school events, travel, wrapping, cooking, hosting, and “regular life,” Christmas season can feel like a full-time job. And while this time of year is supposed to be joyful, the true spirit of it—connection, gratitude, and peace—often gets buried under a busy calendar.
The good news: you don’t have to choose between enjoying the holidays and feeling good in your body.
This guide is designed to help you stay steady through Christmas week and head into the New Year feeling proud—not depleted.
The Christmas Season Game Plan: Reduce Stress + Avoid “Holiday Creep”
The #1 strategy is planning ahead—not perfection. A realistic and healthy goal from now through the first week of January is simple: Maintain your current weight and protect your energy.
Here are the habits that make the biggest difference:
1) Plan simple meals (so you’re not forced into last-minute choices)
If you already know dinner is going to be chaotic, plan something easy and keep ingredients on hand.
2) Don’t let yourself get “too hungry”
When you wait until you’re starving, you tend to eat faster, eat more, and feel less in control.
Try either (or both):
Smaller, more frequent meals
A planned snack before events (especially holiday parties)
3) Go to parties with a strategy (not a restriction mindset)
Enjoy the treats—just enjoy them on purpose:
Take a small sample
Slow down
Actually taste it
4) Use smaller plates (it works)
Small portions feel more satisfying when the plate matches the portion.
5) Watch “drink calories” (the sneaky ones)
Sweet drinks, holiday coffees, cocktails—or the combo—can add up fast.
A simple rule: choose your favorites and skip the “meh” ones.
6) Schedule movement like an appointment
Even if you can’t do your normal routine, a little is better than none—and scheduling makes it happen.
Holiday-proof options:
10–15 minutes at home
A brisk walk after a meal
2–3 strength “mini sessions” during the week
7) Plan your time and budget (yes, it helps your health)
Less chaos = less stress. Planning routes, errands, and spending reduces overwhelm.
Quick Christmas Checklist
If you do nothing else, aim for this:
Eat before you’re starving
Have a pre-party plan
Schedule 2–3 workouts (or short movement blocks)
Choose treats intentionally, not automatically
Keep perspective: maintain, don’t “fix”
Action Tips That Make Goals Stick
Make an appointment with yourself—in ink
Schedule workouts with a friend
If you miss a workout, don’t panic—restart tomorrow
Make movement a family tradition
Try a new activity or class
Consider coaching for accountability and results
Final Thought
Go into the season expecting life to happen—and knowing you can still win. Keep your goals visible, keep your plan simple, and focus on consistency over perfection.
If you do that, you won’t just survive the holidays—you’ll walk into the New Year feeling strong.