The holidays mean sweet treats and savory dishes at family gatherings. While these foods taste great, this time of year can negatively impact your wellness journey. Here’s how to stay fit during the holiday season.
Why Fitness Is Essential During the Holidays
November and December can throw you off your game and create adverse results on the scale. While a seismic shift in your fitness is unlikely, there’s a chance you slip up. Experts say Americans gain 1 or 2 pounds on average, so watching your diet is worthwhile. You can still have desserts and indulgences in moderation.
Sticking to your fitness goals is crucial because of the season. With holiday parties and shopping, your body may experience more stress this time of year. What better way to release these anxieties than getting a workout? Your fitness routine is also essential due to the cold weather, as physical activity reduces your chances of getting sick.
How to Stay Fit During the Holiday Season
Maintaining your fitness goals can be more challenging once the cold weather hits. So, how can you manage them? Here’s how to stay fit during the holiday season.
1. Stock Healthy Foods
Around Christmastime, you may see more candy canes and cookies in your cupboard. The temptation of sugary snacks is high, so offset them with healthy foods. Keep your favorite nutritious choices on hand to make a sustainable diet more accessible. For example, apples and bananas are terrific sources of fiber and can remain at room temperature.
Do you live in an ingredient household? If there aren’t snacks in the kitchen, you may feel tempted to indulge in unhealthy foods during the holidays. Keep your pantry stocked with ready-to-eat or easy-to-make healthy foods.
2. Make Holiday Dinners Healthier
When it’s time for holiday dinners and New Year’s celebrations, the food spreads are marvelous. However, the buffet-style lineup can invite overindulgence. So, how can you eat healthy while trying to stay fit during the holiday season? Make them healthier with carefully selected dishes and desserts. With only a few adjustments, you can increase nutrition and decrease guilt.
Start by adding more vegetables, fruits, and proteins to your plate during the dinner. These items are typically less caloric and more filling, which can reduce cravings for additional sweets. If you do have some treats, plan how many you will have and stick to that. enlisting the help of a friend to split a dessert or treat is a great way to enjoy some treats without overdoing it.
3. Plan Your Fitness With the Holidays
Shopping, holiday gatherings and travel can occupy your time during the holidays. You may subconsciously put your fitness plans on a shelf, so it’s essential to plan them around your obligations. Find time during the day and week to get your workouts in. For example, you could schedule a morning workout if your parents’ plane arrives in the afternoon.
Perfectly sticking to your routine can be a lot to ask. After all, you should have fun and time with family during the holidays. It’s OK to go from three workouts to two during the week. Alternatively, you could modify your workouts for traveling so that you can still get them in on the road.
4. Find an Accountability Partner
Holiday temptations are everywhere, so it’s wise to have backup when navigating how to stay fit during the holiday season. You’re not alone in this adventure, so find an accountability partner who understands your goals. This cohort could be your spouse, sibling, a trusted friend, or a personal trainer. Communicate your workouts and nutrition plans during the holidays to support your routine.
With an accountability partner, you combine honesty and positivity during the holidays. This companion can deliver candor by reminding you of your workout schedule or healthy meal plan. Simultaneously, they can provide positive reinforcement through encouragement and congratulations. When they cheer you on, you feel more motivated to power through the holidays with a healthy mindset.
5. Be Nice to Yourself
Ultimately, the holidays are critical for being nice to yourself. Expecting perfection during the season may be setting the standards too high. Remind yourself that it’s OK to enjoy yourself for a night or two this time of year. At most, a slice of cake or a glass of eggnog will marginally impact your fitness goals. Consistency is more important than the occasional overindulgence. So if you do overdo it, just remember, you are human and you will have the occasional mess-up, so just keep going.
Being kind to yourself also includes making time for fun during the holiday season. While workout routines are essential, don’t let them get in the way of festivities. You can even meld the two, by planning some fun and active outings. For instance, taking a walk to see Christmas lights with your family or planning a fun backyard game. You can still have fun this time of year while watching your fitness goals.
How to Stay Fit During the Holiday Season With Chris Protein
The holidays can be stressful, but don’t let them compromise your fitness goals. With careful planning and minor adjustments, you can stay on track.
If you want to stay fit during the holidays, book a VIP transformation session with Chris Protein Personal Training. Your first consultation workout will outline your fitness goals and give you a personalized plan. Expert trainers will be by your side to help you break the tradition of holiday pounds
.