The holidays are a fun and joyous time, filled with parties and festive foods, but all the extra calories and less time to devote to fitness can put a strain on your energy and your waistline.
5 Tips to Stay Fit this Holiday Season
Holiday weight gain isn’t inevitable and doesn’t have to be your reality. With a little planning and creativity, you can make it to the new year with your sanity in check and your belt in its pre-holiday position.
Don’t Skip Meals
If you think you’re doing yourself a favor by skipping breakfast or lunch to “save up” for the big dinner, you’re mistaken. You’re more likely to end up overdoing it because you’ll be famished by the time dinner rolls around.
Eat at Home
Before you head out to a holiday party, eat something sensible at home so you will be less likely to ravish the first cheese tray you see.
Take it Outside
A little fresh air will be good for the whole family when you plan fun things to do outside. Skiing, skating, sledding, even a friendly snowball fight, are awesome ways to get everyone moving while building lasting holiday memories.
Be Realistic
Consider the time crunches you’ll be under and plan your workouts accordingly. Perhaps it means switching from after-work to before-work workouts. Or if you are used to getting a full hour of cardio each day, shoot for a half an hour. It’s better to set a realistic target you will hit than to set yourself up for disappointment. You’ll feel great and will be ready to go back to your full schedule once the holidays are over.
Treat Yourself
Allow yourself to enjoy a special treat or meal you only get this time of year but be careful not to let one day set a new pattern of overindulging and blowing off your workouts. Get back into your healthy eating and exercise routines the next day.
Set Up a Free Holiday Health Session
Why not start a healthy habit over the holidays by joining a gym? At Apex Personal Training, our team will work with your current fitness level to create a personalized program to help you reach your goals. Set up your free Holiday Health Strategy Session today.