How to Survive the Holidays with Hashimoto's

'Tis the season to be with friends and family, be merry and enjoy life. But if history is anything to go by, this is also a time of over-indulgence, putting on a few pounds and inevitably kicking yourself when you don't stick to those new year's resolutions.

Let's skip that latter portion this year for a change. Here are a few ways to survive the holiday season with Hashimoto's and begin 2023 feeling good and motivated! 

Shift your focus

We have all been there, trust me. The holiday season rolls around and we keep punishing ourselves for indulging or are miserable in trying to avoid any "bad" habits. Instead, let's shift the focus this year and keep an eye on maintaining our weight rather than aiming for weight loss.

You deserve to enjoy the holidays without the guilt, but do remember your goals.

Balance your party platter

Just because you're trying to lose weight with Hashimoto's doesn't mean every party you attend will cater to your health-conscious mindset. It will be up to you to balance your plate and keep an eye on your blood sugar levels.

A good tip is to always eat greens and proteins first. Bring on the turkey and green beans! Everyone knows a Thanksgiving table buckles under the weight of all the carbs, but you don't have to.

Mental aerobics

There's a reason all those Hallmark holiday movies always feature a family feud, 'tis the season when mental health tends to go out the window. This can be a slippery slope, so be sure to put yourself first from the get go.

Don't overextend yourself and try to only choose activities that light you up. As soon as you find yourself saying "I don't really want to go to that event" or "I have to go, it's expected of me," take a step back and reassess. Who are you doing this for? Is it too emotionally draining? Do you get anxiety just thinking about it? Then maybe stay home and watch The Holiday while doing a face mask. You don't have to be everywhere all the time!

Keep strong

Working on your fitness is usually the last thing on your mind during the festive season. But this isn't the time to completely throw away your workout routines. Hypothyroidism and weight gain go hand in hand and throwing holiday treats into the mix is asking for trouble.

But remember, we aren't trying to lose weight, just maintain. So it's okay if you need to scale back your workouts, but be sure to get those strength training days scheduled. Muscle burns fat and weight lifting builds muscle. And don't forget, shopping for gifts burns calories!

Give back

Your low thyroid levels can take a mental and physical toll on you, but one way to beat the winter blues is to give back. Take some time this year to volunteer or donate resources or time to a charity. Doing good feels good and this is a wonderful time to appreciate all of the things we do have. Everyone can use a little extra cheer this time of year.

So this holiday season, let's be kind to others but also to ourselves.

Happy Holidays!

Sarah