You can run. You can hide. But you can’t escape it. Easter is almost here and it’s certain to bring with it mountains of chocolate eggs, sticky cakes and other sweet treats that threaten to throw your healthy lifestyle out of the window. Today, I want to talk about surviving the most sugar-coated holiday in the calendar with tips and tricks that could help you indulge in moderation. Read on and find out how you can stay out of the ‘chocolate trap’ this Easter.
Don’t Be a Hero
Try to take a practical approach to the Easter season. You may promise yourself that nothing but kale smoothies and protein-packed meals will pass your lips over the long weekend, but unless you have cast iron willpower you will probably fail. And that’s OK! A healthy diet should be part of real life it shouldn’t be a prison sentence. Even the healthiest diet should include treats and your diet over the Easter weekend is no exception. Accepting that you will indulge allows you to gain better control over your eating. Think about what you would enjoy most as an Easter treat or two and work it into your regular eating plan.
Keep Moving
It’s tempting to lie on the couch over the bank holiday and not move until you are back to work. Don’t fall into this trap! It will lead to you feeling sluggish and probably overeating more than you should. Get up, get out and get moving to make the most of your downtime. You don’t even need to hit the gym, go for a family walk or a run around the park, anything to get your blood pumping and your body moving!
Fill Up on Fresh Fruit and Veggies
OK, so your diet is going to be a little chocolate heavy at the moment. And it probably involves an enormous family meal or two. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy fresh, clean food as well. Make sure your roast is accompanied by piles of beautifully cooked veg and keep plenty of fruit around the house to curb your reliance on sugary snacks.
Give Away Excess Treats
Are you one of those people who ends up with Easter chocolate and treats hanging around the house for months? If you know that this weekend means weeks and weeks of temptation, give away the excess. Donate to a local foodbank, gift treats to family and friends or share them with work colleagues. The point is that there is only so much refined sugar you need in your life. Choose a few indulgent treats for yourself and share the rest.
I hope you have a wonderful, restful, and laughter filled Easter break. And that you get to enjoy the occasional sweet treat! I will be back after the bank holiday with a closer look at different types of sugar, what they do to our bodies and how much you really need. In the meantime, if you have any advice on surviving the temptations of the Easter holiday then let us know by connecting on social media or get in touch here. I can’t wait to hear from you!