Staying Fit During the Holidays

It’s time to put down the peppermint-mocha-sprinkle-macchiato down and step away from the bowl of left-over Halloween candy.

Yes, the holidays are among us and so is the temptation of delicious holiday food. And on top of all of the holiday goodies, you still must somehow make time for working out. With all the never-ending lines at department stores, you might be tempted to cross exercise off your list. The good thing is, you just have to get a little creative when it comes to your fitness. Life gets busy during the holidays. It’s stressful and draining and you feel as though there is nothing you can control. It’s important to remember that you do not have to fall off the fitness wagon just because life gets, well, demanding during the holidays. You can maintain your fitness goals with a little bit of planning and a whole lot of flexibility. Here are some tips on how you can feel your best during this season:

• Before the holidays get into full swing, come up with a plan. And having your plan written down somewhere can help you see what you want to do visually and can be a reminder of your goals.
• Exercising in the early morning is not only a good way to start your day, but it can help you can get your workout out of the way without dealing with distractions and have the rest of the day to do what you need to do.
• Try to avoid sitting down for extended periods of time, it’s bad for you during any season. Sitting too much, in general, puts you at risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity – even if you exercise a lot. Stay up and stay moving – walking around the house or doing some simple squat exercises is a good way to avoid the temptation to sit.
• Staying hydrated is important because your brain may confuse thirst for hunger. It is also a good idea to drink a large glass of water before eating, especially if you are tempted with getting seconds. By doing this, you can help reduce the amount of food you consume.
• Getting a good night’s sleep is important, especially during a time when sleep can be scarce. Trying to set up a plan for your sleep routine: be in bed by a certain time, disconnect from social media, wake up at a decent time.
• Another way to stay fit: get your family involved. Now, don’t be that person and start bringing up calories to your aunt who is shoveling pumpkin pie. But, you can come up with ideas on how to get your family active. Whether it is hiking, playing sports outside, going for a walk around the neighborhood before opening presents, or exploring a new group fitness class, thinking outside the box is key. You can figure out ways to spend quality time with family and friends, while also focusing on your health

Though, the most important thing you can do is just be aware of what you are learning and to eat what you know will be satisfying. Remember: don’t beat yourself up over slipping a little bit. It is important to enjoy the holidays and if all you do is worry about whether you are eating too much on this single day, the reality is that indulging for one day isn’t going to make or break your health goals.