18 December

How to Eat Healthy During the Holidays

Image of a woman feeding a child broccoli on the National Personal Training Institute website

As you become a certified personal trainer, almost every single one of your clients will be tempted to stray from the goals you set together, around the holidays. While most people think of a personal trainer as someone who helps manage the gym equipment or provides motivation, it also involves creating a food plan to help clients achieve their goals. Your job as a certified personal trainer includes advising clients on eating habits, track their goals, assist them in difficulties, and provide them with appropriate guidance towards their goals.

Personal trainers are required to be on top of their game all the time. As you become a certified personal trainer, you need to have all the information regarding different diet plans, food programs, and the latest technology and equipment. Being on the cutting edge of rising nutrition and fitness trends can allow personal trainers to prevent their clients from injuring themselves and meet their nutritional goals. Obviously, if an individual reduces his or her daily caloric intake and increase physical activity, it will create an energy deficit and force the body to tap into stored fat. That does not mean that your client would need to eat less than what they do now. It means knowing and being aware of what the body is consuming. As an expert personal trainer, your job will require you to create diet plans for your clients that are healthy and tasty.

It is why it is recommended to a earn your certification from a reputable personal training accreditation like NPTI Florida (Orlando/Tampa). Our 100 Hours nutrition course is taught by college professors, and it is part of the classroom core content which is classified as nutrition consultation for the healthy population. Becoming a personal trainer by earning certification or personal training diploma will give personal trainers an undeniable edge and be able to speak on many subjects your clients will look for you to offer guidance.

Helping Clients Eat Healthier During the Holidays

Let’s be honest, the holidays throw everything off: schedules, routines, discipline, but they don’t have to. Since your clients will not be in control of the food they are served, you need to have a plan. Here are some of our most helpful ways to eat healthy during the holidays.

  • If you are invited to a party offer to bring a healthy dish that you will eat so you can trust you will have a safe and delicious option.
  • Eat close to your usual times to keep your blood sugar steady. If your meal is served later than normal, eat a small snack at your usual mealtime and eat a little less when dinner is served.
  • Don’t allow yourself to get too hungry. You will not make good decisions if you show up to an event or meal starving.
  • Make sure you are eating throughout the day and choose more foods that promote better appetite control, like high fiber foods, lean proteins and healthy fats.
  • Eat a high protein breakfast
  • Drink plenty of water throughout the day and before eating
  • Load up on high fiber foods like fruits, veggies and whole grains
  • Curb afternoon cravings with a handful of nuts
  • Limit sugary foods like candies, desserts and refined grains
  • If you have a sweet treat, cut back on other carbs (like potatoes and bread) during the meal.
  • Don’t skip meals to save up for a feast. It will be harder to manage your blood sugar, and you’ll be hungry and more likely to overeat.
  • If you slip up, get right back to healthy eating with your next meal. One choice doesn’t have to ruin the day. Forgive yourself and move on.

How to Indulge over the Holidays

Yes, you can indulge over the holidays! In fact, we recommend it! It may look a little different, but it will feel rewarding. Schedule me time every day—a nap, walk the dog, a hot bath to feed your need to indulge. These moments can be best ways to self-care and will make you feel better than a piece of cake. Best of all, it will reinforce your hard work and discipline and help you stay committed to your goals.

Most of all, remember your why. Remembering why you made the call to the personal trainer in the first place may be what it takes for you to stay on point during the holidays. You made a commitment to your personal trainer and most of all, to yourself. Change is not the most comfortable process and by working with a certified personal trainer, you have made the first step toward change.