The average weight gain over the holidays is three to seven pounds. Unfortunately, the extra turkey, pie and cookies may not be the only cause of holiday weight gain. Stress can add unwanted weight too. For some, the New Year may bring additional stress like new obligations and a heavy work load, not to mention the personal pressure we put on ourselves to conquer bigger and loftier goals. Wanting to improve yourself is a great thing, but it’s important to focus on finding a balanced lifestyle. Our culture operates on a “more is better” philosophy – we tend to book every minute of every day with an activity, and if we get a moment to breathe, we want to add another activity or responsibility to our already-overloaded plate.

Here are a few ways to find balance, lower your stress levels and lose unwanted weight once and for all!

• Do not be afraid to say no! If you tend to say yes to everything, then you’re probably exhausted, burned out and find it hard to be pleasant around those who mean the most to you. If you set up boundaries (like turning your phone off when you are spending time with family), then people will probably only ask you for help if they need you for something significant.

• Make small healthy changes. Most individuals who have made significant lifestyle improvements started out with small changes, which turned into big changes. Only eating out two times per week, taking 30 minute walks around your neighborhood in the mornings or evenings, or making sure you eat five servings of fruits and vegetables per day are all small changes that will lead you to a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

• Breathe. Oxygen will increase your energy and improve your circulation. Yoga classes are overflowing for a reason – yoga forces us to slow down and truly breathe, which then helps you reconnect with your inner balance. When your stress level is rising, take a moment to take deep breaths and get centered again.

• Check off your list. Many of us keep lengthy to-do lists to keep us on track. Add a new twist to your list: at the end of each day, note your accomplishments. Seeing how much you got done over the course of the day will boost your self-esteem and make you more productive.

• Did you go to the gym? Check.
• Did you pay your bills? Check.
• Did you provide a healthy meal for your family, pack healthy lunches for the next day, drink eight glasses of water? Check, check and check.

Don’t let stress dictate your life. You are in control of having a balanced and healthy lifestyle.