Balancing Social Life & Healthy Habits: My Go To Strategies

Today, I want to dive into a topic a lot of us struggle with: how to stay social and have fun without compromising our health goals. As many of you in our community already know, I rarely drink alcohol, and I’m a natural introvert. Sometimes, that combination can leave me feeling a little "left out" at social gatherings. To combat this and keep my cup full, I rely on a few specific strategies.

1. Quality Over Quantity: Intimate Connection

Instead of forcing myself into saying yes to too many events on the weekend, I prioritize intentional time with people who lift me up. A coffee date, a dog walk, an early dinner at my house with 2-3 close friends. 

For the past 6 yrs (since COVID), every Friday night I host girl's night at my house. It's a small intimate group of 4 my best friends in Tulum and we discuss everything.  From our dogs, to our health, to our families, our relationships and our dreams. Even if it’s only for an hour or two, this predictable, reliable, safe and casual meeting connects me to my circle and gives me something special to look forward to every week.

2. Master the "Fancy" Mocktail

If you love the ritual of holding a fun drink at a party but don't want the alcohol, you have to try my favorite mocktail recipe. It looks beautiful, tastes delicious, and cures any FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out).

Kate's Signature Fancy Mocktail 

• The Glass: A large wine glass
• The Base: Tons of crushed ice
• The Mix: Sparkling water + your favorite electrolytes (this gives it a gorgeous pink or purple hue!

Suddenly, you have a beautiful, vibrant drink to sip on without any of the negative side effects.

The 90/10 Principle & A Quick Reality Check

Now, if you follow my Instagram, you probably saw photos of my recent trip to Italy where I indulged in gorgeous plates of pasta which included the occasional glass of red wine. I wanted to fully embrace the experience of the trip and for me that meant eating and drinking how the locals do. Enjoying in the richness of local food and drinks while on a special trip fits perfectly into my 90/10 principle: 90% healthy habits versus 10% indulgences.

When I’m back home, I choose not to drink alcohol because, frankly, I just don’t like how it makes me feel. Because I love sharing good resources with this family, I want to pass along an incredible article from Harvard regarding alcohol and its specific effects on health:

3. My Secret Weapon for Parties: "Pre-Eating"

Let's talk about food. How do you avoid the temptation of heavy party foods while still enjoying the festivities? My strategy is incredibly simple: I show up to the party already full.

I call it "pre-eating." By filling up on the nutritious, on my diet foods I've prepared at home before I leave, I completely eliminate the urge to eat "party" foods.

That being said, I still want to share in the celebration! Here is how I handle treats:

• The Pizza Rule: When dinner is served, I will enjoy one slice of pizza to partake in the fun.
• The Cake Rule: When the birthday cake comes out, I might say no thank you, or I might take a small slice, enjoy a few bites to satisfy the taste, and leave the rest. 

It’s All About How You Feel Tomorrow

At the end of the day, my desire is to be fully present for the party to soak up the connection, the laughter, and the good times while staying entirely true to what makes my body feel best. I want to feel great not just in the moment, but also when I wake up the next morning.

I’m so looking forward to reading and responding to your comments later today! What are your go-to tips for staying healthy at social events?

Hope you all have a beautiful day or night. Big hug everyone!