Here we are a bit more than a week removed from the new year and the holiday season. Hopefully routines are returning to normal, or new normal as the case may be with workouts and eating habits. Sometimes the sluggishness that we acquire with all those heavy holiday meals and treats seems to stick around well after the decorations are packed away, though. So today let’s chat about resetting our systems post holiday.

Let me start by saying that I am not a fan, nor an advocate of, juice cleanses or extremely restrictive intake detoxes. I believe that they do more harm than good especially as it relates to metabolism and gut microbiome. Most of these extreme detoxes have also not undergone extensive testing and have not been vetted for safety.

Detox has a negative connotation, at least to me. Detox implies that there is something wrong with your system that needs to be fixed. Barring underlying medical conditions, I’m betting that’s not true. What most of us need is more of a reset.

For the majority of us, the six weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day is a complete frenzy. And I’m not just talking about food. It is a time of high stress and high demand. Parties to attend, activities to organize, gifts to purchase, wrap, and deliver. So schedules get packed and exercise takes a back seat. When you throw in the fact that this coincides with several big eating occasions and yummy treats, well, you can understand why that reset button is necessary.

But we don’t need to go to extreme measures to do it. You don’t need to consume only celery juice for the next week or take some crazy supplements. In fact, the reset can be accomplished with just a few tweaks to your regular grocery list and a bit more focus on exercise and self care.

First, things first. Drink water. I cannot put it any more simply than that. Our bodies thrive on water and during the holiday season we rarely get enough. Every process in our bodies from metabolism to digestion needs water. So step one is to change every beverage to water. A big glass of water should be the first thing you put into your body when you get up. Warm with lemon, cold with cucumber or fruit, do what tastes good so you keep drinking it.

Second, slow down on the heavy carbs. I am not on the gluten free bandwagon (unless it is necessary for health reasons), but I know how I feel when I eat a lot of bread and pasta. And stuffing. And cookies. You don’t need to cut carbs out of your diet completely, but think about what types you are consuming. Fruit and veggies should be tops on the list. Plus, those tend to also contain fiber and water which will fill you up and hydrate you. Try to limit those heavier carbs to once per day and make sure they are eaten with said produce and some protein too. I made this switch myself about ten days ago and I cannot undersell how much better I feel.

Third, clean up your protein. Same as with carbs, we eat heavier protein during the holiday season. But now that the indulging season has come to a close, steer more towards leaner protein sources. Chicken and turkey are winners for their wide appeal and versatility. Pork and beef can be good if lean cuts are used. Fish is for the bonus.

Fourth, meal plan. All of them, including snacks. Planning is crucial. Even if you aren’t starting a super specific diet plan your meals so you can shop with a list. If you don’t know what you need to buy, chances are the split second decision you make in the grocery store won’t be the best one. Do this however it works best for you and your family. In my house I sit down once a week and plan meals, make my grocery list, shop, and then pre-prep most of the produce for the week. There are many people who have good luck with batch cooking, too. The interwebs is full of info and resources on either method. And Megan at The Homes I Have Made just posted this amazing guide.

Fifth, move. It’s a chicken versus egg scenario. But truthfully, if you are feeling sluggish and slow, the best thing you can do is move. It doesn’t have to be Tabata intervals or anything crazy intense. Walking is the easiest and cheapest form of exercise around. And, if like me, you live in the cold and snow, figure this: exercise in colder temperatures burns more calories. If it’s super gross, do some yoga or stretching.

Now that you have moved, plan to make it a regular event. Again, it doesn’t have to be intense, but it needs to be consistent. If you need some guidance on where to start or what to do, you can start with our own workout guides. Or, check out Fitness Blender for searchable workouts right at your fingertips.

Lastly, take a bit of time for yourself. During the hectic holiday season, many of us spend so much time checking things off the proverbial to do list that we neglect ourselves. Sure, Santa may have brought that super awesome gift of amazingness, but how much time did you actually spend doing something you wanted to do, just because you wanted to do it? Try to connect with yourself, in your own head again. Oh, and do it with deep breaths.

The post holiday season is one of resetting and renewing. Don’t beat yourself up if you aren’t feeling your best. Thank your family and friends for the memories and food and then get right back to those healthy habits.