29. Healthy Holidays for Women Over 40: How to Feel Better Without Stress or Guilt

Welcome to Episode 29 of the Emotional Eats Podcast! In this special holiday episode, I hang out with my friend and fellow health coach, Melissa Slemp, who is a Type 1 Diabetes Coach.   Together, we provide practical tips and strategies for a healthy and joyful holiday season. But this is not a diet plan!  We share ways to balance feeling good about your health and food choices with really enjoying your family, friends, food and festivities.   We discuss managing the stress and pressure that often accompany holiday meals.  We do address one of the most important things which is managing blood sugar and share food choices to help you with that.  Melissa and I don't want you to give up food traditions, but our intention is to help you be mindful in all areas during holiday gatherings. Both of us promote balanced eating, but also getting rid of the shame and guilt around your choices.   Melissa and I share our own experiences with holiday eating and drinking habits, highlighting the shift from guilt to satisfaction and enjoyment. We also share in a nonjudgmental way, the impact of alcohol on blood sugar and food choices.   Staying active and healthy during the holidays is a priority, with recommendations for maintaining exercise routines and celebrating small victories.  Movement helps you feel better after eating and sitting around and we share how that can assist blood sugar management, energy and mood.   Managing stress and expectations during the holidays is challenging, and we encourage self-care, gratitude, and open communication. We discuss setting boundaries and managing stressful interactions with guests and tips for taking breaks and finding humor in unexpected situations.    Enjoy a happy and healthy holiday season with these tips! XOXO, Kim and Melissa!   Highlights: Holiday meal stress and healthy choices. 0:02 Managing blood sugar and food choices during holidays. 2:50 Balanced eating during holidays with dietary restrictions. 8:10 Holiday eating and drinking habits and their impact on blood sugar. 12:24 Holiday eating and drinking habits. 17:36 Staying active and healthy during vacation time. 23:18 Managing stress and expectations during the holidays. 26:16 Setting boundaries and managing stress during holiday gatherings. 32:00 Managing difficult conversations and maintaining inner peace. 37:09 Holiday self-care and managing stress. 41:32 Here's how to connect with Melissa Slemp IG:  https://www.instagram.com/bloodsugarboss Website:  Type 1 Diabetes In Midlife | Abundant Health with Melissa | St. Augustine Podcast:  Podcast | Melissa Slemp Type 1 In Midlife (abundanthealthwithmelissa.com) Note:  The information in this podcast is not to replace working with your doctor, other medical practitioner or mental health practitioner.  Connect with Kim on TT and IG: @kimhynesmidlife   Note:  The information in this podcast is not to replace working with your doctor, other medical practitioner or mental health practitioner.  This podcast is to provide conversation, information and entertainment. My favorite evening drink (or dessert) is Organifi Gold Chocolate.  It is like a "healthy dark hot chocolate".  With reishi mushrooms and lemon balm extract for calming and relaxing, it's perfect in the afternoon or evening.  Gold  also has superfoods like tumeric and ginger.  It's nonGMO, vegan and organic. You can check out all of Organifi's healthy products at https://www.organifishop.com/  and make sure to use the code:  KIMH   for 20% off.  Nourish your entire life today and give yourself grace. XOXO Kim