Your 5 Step Plan to Get Back on Track After Overindulging

We’ve all been there. The holidays are a prime time to test the limits on how much you can pile on your plate, have one too many drinks or sweet treats. Instead of beating yourself up over it, embrace it with my five step plan to get you back on track!

One turns into two and two turns into three (and more) before you know it. Sound familiar? Plates, drinks, sweets… things tend to get a little excessive around the holidays. There’s just something about the holiday season that feels like a hall pass from the healthy habits created the other 10 months out of the year.

I’m a huge believer in consistency. What we do on a daily basis matters so much more than what we do once in a while. It’s the daily actions that turn into habits that have the power to transform our health, despite what your goals are.

I also believe in moderation, and that food should be enjoyed – even the foods that aren’t on our “everyday” list. Even within moderation there’s still times where we might overindulge, leaving us feeling bloated, heavy, and just yucky.

If you find yourself in this situation, don’t worry. I’ve got a plan for you!

Your 5 Step Plan to Get Back on Track After Overindulging

Reach for a cup of warm lemon water first thing. One of the most important things you can do “the day after” is to hydrate. This will help flush out your body and keep cravings at bay. Lemon contains a fiber called “pectin” which helps aid in this process. Continue hydrating throughout the day with a lot of water and herbal tea!

Want to take it a step further? Try out my favorite hot lemon ginger detox tonic, here!

Recharge with a nutritious smoothie. Smoothies are my secret to healthy success every day, but especially on days after overindulging. They are a great way to fuel your body with nutrients that will fill you up – in the right way.

Check out this post on how to build a healthy smoothie in 5 simple steps.

Focus on anti-inflammatory foods. When you overindulge, chances are these foods are highly processed and packed with sodium and sugar. This will cause you to wake up feeling puffy and sluggish. If you have a standing appointment with your scale every morning (which I do not recommend!), chances are the number may have gone up. This is most likely due to increased inflammation in your body, not an actual increase in “fat” weight.

To help combat inflammation in the body, focus on incorporating anti-inflammatory foods onto your plate the next day. These foods are minimally processed and can include: leafy greens, whole grains, vegetables, wild salmon, berries, avocado, lemon, ginger and turmeric.  

Try making this: Tuscan Veggie Detox Soup

Emphasize the greens on your plate. Yes, I know I already mentioned greens, but it’s worth mentioning again. Leafy greens are voluminous (meaning they will fill you up), full of fiber and nutrients to naturally detox the body. Sneak leafy greens into your smoothie, make a big salad, or get an extra dose in a delicious way through a green superfood powder! My favorite is Detox Organics because it’s chocolate flavored and deceptively delicious.

Make it interesting by building your own power bowl (how-to here!).

Get moving. Focusing on what goes into your body is going to be your most powerful ammo when fighting the day after blues. Sweating it out or at least getting your body moving is another way to help boost energy levels and get you back on track. This could be anything from a walk around the neighborhood to a quick HIIT workout at the gym. Just do something!

And oh, don’t forget to give yourself a whole lotta grace. So you had a little more than you would’ve liked? It’s okay! Recognize it and move on. Don’t beat yourself up over it and try not to make it a habit. What’s more important is what you do moving forward than spending too much time looking in the rear view mirror.