Let’s face it, staying fit during the holidays can be a challenge. There is no short supply of food or drink & there is always some sort of dessert to be had. Things might look a little different this year, but family traditions are so meaningful & too important to ignore. Seeing as we are deep in the holiday season we wanted to give you a few of our top tips for staying fit this holiday season.
Deprivation is no one’s friend. Not indulging is not the answer. If you refrain from having Grandma’s casserole or Aunt Peggy’s holiday ham for too long chances are you’ll crack. At that point it’ll become, one more cookie, one more drink & so on until you’ve had way too much. From the beginning, plan on having your favorites. Maybe stay away from third or fourth helpings however.
Drink your water. We know that water lubricates joints, keeps you hydrated & even helps to keep you full. However, water can also aid in the detoxification process. After consuming the additional fat, sugar & salt, your body will thank you for the extra boost.
Go for a walk. It might not be going to the gym but it’s a way better move than sleeping off your food coma on the couch. Get that blood flowing, get some fresh air & help your body digest that great meal you just had. Better yet, take the whole family with you. Maybe it’ll be a start to a new family tradition.
Workout in the morning. The walking idea above is great. However, if you can sneak in a training session before everyone is up & commitments start, then you are way ahead of the game. The middle of the day sounds nice but it might not happen. Life happens that way. Even if the session is only 30 minutes, your body will thank you later.
Use the MyFitness Pal App. This is for the die-hards out there. If you are into tracking your macronutrients (Carbs, Fats, Proteins) then this is for you. This takes a little bit of time to set-up with all the foods you eat, but once you get it going it is a great tool. Put your favorite holiday foods in ahead of time. This will help you stay on track & not blow your whole weekend. And for goodness sake, allow for some additional calories. It’s the holidays for crying out loud.
Bro Tip: Plan to get your session in ahead of time. Write it down. Tell someone. Or better yet, get someone else involved. You could be the push they need!!
Be mindful. What we mean by this is that the holiday is just that, a day, not a week or even a month long affair. Yes, treats are prevalent during this time but you do not need to ruin your health because of a “season.” You are in control.
Guys. That’s it for now. If you have tips that others could benefit from, please put them in the comments below. We love hearing from you. Until next time, Ticker On & Happy Holidays!!
