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Happy Saturday friends! I know that this is a rare day for me to post, but my editorial calendar is booked and I really wanted to get this post to y'all before the thick of the holiday season is here!

For the past three months i've been "eating cleaner" (you can read more about my process and first impressions here) and I've seen some major changes in my weight, shape, fitness level, and overall lifestyle! So as I'm sure you can imagine, i'm a little nervous heading into the holiday season where gift baskets abound (#somuchchocolate) and there is temptation at every turn! So I've been working on my strategies to enjoy the season, while also sticking to my plan, and I thought it would be helpful to share them with y'all today...

1. Plan Ahead

One of the most important things you can do on any health and fitness quest is to plan ahead. I always take a look at my upcoming week and see what's happening (and if there is any time where healthy eating may be hard). For instance, next week I have a catered luncheon at work and I know I will indulge, so I make sure I add in an extra workout the day before and have healthy lunches packed for the remainder of the week. I believe very much in balance & the 80/20 rule (eat healthy 80% of the time and indulge 20%)- there's nothing wrong with enjoying yummy holiday fare, just make sure you balance out those splurges!

2. Portion Control

This has been a huge learning for me... I used to look at yummy dishes with big heart eyes chanting #GiveMeAllTheYums, but I've really been working on taking smaller portions because I'd find that far too often those heart eyes were bigger than my stomach ;) I remind myself now that if I'm still hungry I can always grab seconds, but there's no need to overload on the first go-round!

3. Drink Plenty of Water

This is such a simple tip (& it's certainly not groundbreaking!) but it is so true! Quite often I "think" I'm hungry, but once I drink 8oz of water I realize I was just thirsty! Our bodies often confuse thirst with hunger, so make sure your well hydrated! Water also helps your body flush out unhealthy toxins, and who wants to hold onto those?? No one! Ha. Trust me y'all- grab a cute tumbler, fill it up, and start drinking!

4. Don't Neglect the Gym

There is no denying that the holidays are a very busy time of the year, but it's important not to let exercise fall to the sidelines or you'll be regretting it come January 1st! I absolutely LOVE Zumba and it's such a great way for me to get up & moving in a high-intensity fun workout.  And you know what? When my class is over I often find myself more relaxed and ready to tackle that long to do list!

5. Sneak in Workouts Where You Can

Since the heart of the holiday season is all about family, find ways to incorporate them in your exercise goals. With the weather just gorgeous right now, grab the fam and the pups and go on an extra long walk! My family and I love taking a stroll and checking out all the neighbors Christmas lights :) Although it may not seem like much, a long walk a few times a week will make a huge difference in your health levels!

And of course, going to the gym and working out is more fun in cute clothes :) I just stocked up at Old Navy on Black Friday and I'm obsessed with all my new purchases!! You can shop some of my new favorites below:

             

So any tips or tricks I missed? How are you preparing for the holiday temptations??

Have an awesome day y'all and enjoy your weekend!