- By Kirstyn Brown, Nutrition Editor

During the holidays, how many of you feel torn between the joy of spending time around the table with loved ones and the stress of how all that merriment might affect your physique? As fit-minded women that spend most of the year totally committed to our gym schedules and clean diets, I think feeling conflicted at Thanksgiving is fairly normal. 

What some people may not understand, is that it’s not that we never allow ourselves to enjoy a few tasty indulgences – in fact we probably appreciate them even more. And it’s not that we believe a treat here and there is going to undo all of our hard work. But it’s the continuous celebrating and feasting that typically begins the week of Thanksgiving and carries on until New Years Day that can be daunting. After all, a fit gal has spent the rest of the year working her butt off to look and feel her best – body mind and soul. Of course, she still wants to relax and take part in the holiday cheer, and so she should! But she wants to do so without derailing 325 days of sweat and sacrifice and without having to be the girl in the corner with the soda water and a celery stick. Am I right?

All those in agreement, raise a dumbbell. 

The trick is finding a balance. The solution is no more to lock yourself in the basement until January 2nd as it is to say “the heck with it” and consume everything in sight. Chances are, going to either extreme will bear the same outcome: regret and misery. Many of you have no doubt learned this by now and have figured out your own survival tactics come the festive season. Maybe you whip up a clean sweet potato pie to share with guests (you just forget to mention there’s no sugar or dairy) or offer to take coats at the door to stay busy and away from the buffet. 

But how do the pros do it? I asked a few of our fit femmes to share their tips for surviving the onslaught of high-calorie temptations this time of year. Here’s what they had to say.

Nicole “One Cheat” Costa: “I allow myself ONE Thanksgiving day cheat meal – whatever I want in one sitting. Then, if everyone else is still eating, I keep myself busy through conversation with family members, games with kids.”
Once the party’s over: “The end of December is the perfect time to create a vision board for the New Year. One of the most important parts of that vision board is my nutrition. It really helps me to have a visual of my goals and what my game plan is going to be!”


Lori “Host with the Most” Harder: “Always bring a few dishes to pass. I’m never caught without shrimp cocktail, marinated veggies and a small, healthy dessert. This way you will always have something you can fill up on while being a fabulous guest or host!” 
The morning after: “The day after a big cheat meal I make sure I drink a ton of water. Another saving grace is making sure my meals are really tasty and healthy. I like to always plan ahead and cook something yummy for breakfast and dinner with lots of detoxifying fruits and veggies.”


Stephanie “Family First” Billings: “During the holidays I give myself permission to stray from my normal program two times a week versus my usual one cheat meal a week. But I try to fixate on family time by getting active with my family too and not just making it all about the food and treats. We go bowling, roller-skating and stay busy together. I let loose a little bit and enjoy a few treats, but I don’t go off the deep end or feel guilty about it.”

Steph’s tip: Spice up your clean meal plan with some seasonal ingredients and dishes, like pumpkin protein pancakes! (Psst.. here’s a great clean pumpkin recipe to try! Baked-Pumpkin-Spice-Oatmeal)


Elaine “Go for the Good Stuff” Goodlad: “I enjoy good food too much not to allow myself a bit of the good stuff. Portion control is key, so I’ll eat little bits of things I like, spread out over several hours. I’ve also found a way to cook a virtually sugar-free, low-fat holiday meal.” 

Want more helpful holiday tips from some of your favorite Oxygen fitness models? Check out page 108 of the December issue!