Perhaps you’ve just been on holiday for two weeks. Or, you’re mentally preparing for the festive season. You’re hoping for a stress-free period, and to really “let yourself go”. It’s time to indulge in fine wine, decadent puddings and snooze the step-counter. You’re allowing yourself this time, because, why not? You’re on holiday!
Well, this is exactly the type of thinking that will set you up to fail. This article will debunk the myths and help set you straight. Strap yourselves in, because it’s going to be a bumpy ride.
What’s so bad about restriction?
In the lead up to the holiday, whether it’s a luxurious beach getaway, Thanksgiving or Christmas, you most likely try to compensate your diet and fitness to allow yourself this two weeks (or day) of pure bliss — pumping it up at the gym and salads for lunch. Can you relate?
Then, once those Holiday Blues sink in and reality washes over you, the guilt seeps in. You think you’ve had one too many cocktails and wish you avoided the chocolate box. So naturally, it’s “time to get back on track”.
The problem with this mindset is that it is restrictive. It’s textbook diet culture. And what can you spot in the word ‘restrictive’? STRICT. All these years you’ve been made to fast: avoid sugar and carbs so that you maintain a healthy physique. Then, once in a blue moon, you give yourself permission to ditch the “clean eating” regime.
But the secret I’m about to share will rattle your bones… This type of thinking is counter-intuitive. In fact, the original Minnesota Study found that this restrictive diet pattern inadvertently leads to obsessing and fantasising about food, as well as being more susceptible to low mood.
The more we group foods as ‘bad’ or ‘good’ and ‘strictly off-limits’, it actually increases cravings and food consumption of so-called ‘forbidden foods’. So after a holiday, we assume that we’ve been naughty and that all our hard work has gone down the drain, leaving us in a rut.
What should you do instead?
You can choose to work against the guilt. It’s hard enough to re-settle yourself back into the office and acclimatise to the rain, so why punish yourself further?
The body is a marvellous organism. It grows with you, not against you. It carries you through some emotional experiences, heals itself when ill and adapts to your lifestyle. So why do we treat it so harshly? What’s more important is that you enjoy yourself and have fun.
It’s important to clarify at this point that health is about balance. Yes, it’s unhealthy to drink alcohol every day — your liver will not keep up with you. Of course, eating pizza every day for a year will clog up your arteries. But, you don’t need to punish yourself after your holiday to “detox” and lose all the “weight gained”. This is a fad, and it will leave you feeling miserable.
Find what works for you
Instead of copying everyone else, adopt a lifestyle that works for you — not the fitness industry. Find exercises you truly enjoy and incorporate it. Choose foods that are nutritionally beneficial, but don’t stop yourself from eating a slice (or two) of cheesecake. This is especially important after and before holidays because it will be easier for your mind and body to transition.
So next time you’re worried about holiday weight gain and feeling frumpy, ask yourself: will I remember the number on the scales or the memories I made?
The truth is, you never fell off the track — so cut yourself some slack!
Written by Naida Allen
WellBe is spearheading the way to a brighter future for corporate wellness. Our innovative portal is scientifically designed and tailored to each individual employee to improve their wellbeing. We specialise in a range of services from coaching and therapists, to meditation and reading materials. Our aim is to reduce workplace stress that costs UK businesses £42 billion per year. Get in touch with us by visiting our site wellbe.global for more information.
