A Get Your 💩 Together Before Christmas Guide!
Well, it’s finally here: the most wonderful time of the year! But if you’re anything like me, amongst the piles of laundry, last minute present-buying, and tidying of the house for the 356th time before your relatives show up (or worse, trying to pack your entire life into a suitcase for the next week), there’s also the underlying stress of how you’re supposed to look and feel during the holiday season.
Justin and I don’t live near our families, and I’m always nervous — because I don’t see them very often — do I look different? Do I look chubbier? Do I look older? More stressed (CHECK!!!)? I look at myself everyday, so I can’t really tell if I look different, but obviously it would be more apparent to someone who doesn’t see me as often.
I’m just saying, when I bump into my kindergarten boyfriend at the Kroger on Christmas Eve, I wanna look hot. I don’t want to feel like I need to run away from him. I mean, honestly, I probably still will. And that’s not just him, that’s with anyone. But I don’t want to feel like I’m doing it because I’m embarrassed of the way that I look, you know what I mean?!
Starting around Thanksgiving, we typically go on this downward spiral of eating and drinking and maaaaybe not being the kindest to our bodies. But hey! We’ve got 3-ish days until the main event! WE CAN STILL TURN THIS THING AROUND!
So I’ve gathered up a few friends who are experts in their fields to put together this GYST Before Christmas Guide! Whether you’re wrecking the halls or bathing in the glow of the holiday spirit, there will be something in here for you.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and may the odds be ever in your favor!
“Literally drink a f*** ton of water.”
“Also, if you’re drinking, drink a glass of water to every liquor drink you take in.”
— Korey Austin
NASM CPT/Barry’s Bootcamp Instructor/Natalie’s Crush in 2012
“I love a good highlighter!”
“Use MAC Strobe Cream under your foundation or mix a few drops in to brighten the skin and add a subtle glow!”
— Annelise Carey
Licensed Esthetician/Makeup Artist/Dream Girl
“Get the bliss hangover sheet mask!”
“It’s super hydrating and you can wear it while wrapping presents!”
— Jenna Clifford
Licensed Esthetician/Skin Wizard/MEGABABE
“Wear a Santa hat or a beanie…”
“…if you’re in America because it’s f***ing cold. In Australia, because it’s really f***ing hot, we haven’t got that option so during our festive season we all have to wear less clothes because it’s a hundred degrees here (Look at you using fahrenheit, Jules!!!). So in America, you can get fat and just put on a few layers and put a shi**y Christmas cardigan on, but in Australia you actually have to get your swimmers on. So I don’t know what you guys are f***ing whinging about. It seems to me that this is one of those things that Americans just like whinging about. ‘How do I look good for Christmas?’ Layer up! In Australia, you just have to get a tan. And everyone knows that brown fat is definitely better looking than white fat.”
— Jules Tognini
Australian Hairdressing Educator of the Year/International Ambassador for Evo/Mullet Enthusiast
“Citrus! Movement! Leafy Greens!”
“CITRUS! Whether you’re adding fresh lemon juice to warm water in the morning or snacking on a grapefruit in the afternoon, citrus is a fantastic recovery food. Loaded with Vitamin C, they’re great for boosting that immune system that you’ve been walloping with alcohol and sugar. They’re also excellent at hydrating and aid in flushing toxins out of the body.
MOVEMENT! Go for a walk in the crisp, fresh air or hit the gym! Just getting your body moving will instantly make you feel better.
LEAFY GREENS! Leafy greens are the answer to almost every problem. They have epic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Get in the habit of working them in whenever you can - a side of arugula with your morning eggs, spinach in your afternoon smoothie, wilted greens with your dinner. The options are endless…and delicious.”
Courtney Whitsett
Certified Natural Chef/Certified Gorgeous Redhead/Diehard fan of “You’ve Got Mail”
“Drink all of the water.”
(Are you sensing a theme, here? Water is free! We have no excuse!)
“When bloated it can be hard because it makes you feel more full. But it flushes you out.”
— Erin Tyler
Holistic Health Coach/Supermom/Former Mall Rat
“breathe in self compassion!”
“Instead of breathing in holiday chaos, passive aggressive family members, or too much of grandma’s eggnog — breathe in self compassion! What’s that, you say?! Put your hand over your heart and remind yourself that this is a busy, hard, wonderful, exciting, lonely, emotional time of year. It’s a roller coaster! Research shows that when we are self compassionate we have MORE energy and productivity — not to mention self love! Giving yourself compassion looks like, ‘I really am doing the best I can with what I have.’ Or, ‘I keep asking a lot of myself. It’s very normal that I feel so exhausted and spent.’ Just that little bit can help fill your cup and give you the boost you need to make it through the most wonderful (and worrysome) time of year!
— Rebecca Walker
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist/Mom/Lover of Eggnog/Enneagram #9
So hopefully you picked up a few tips to help you get on track before Christmas! Or, at the very least, realized that maybe it’s not as big of a deal as you thought ;)
