‘Treat Tactics’ to Improve Your Health During the Holidays

For some, Halloween means letting their healthy habits rest in peace. However, a few simple adjustments can make the day fangtastic! Here’s a spooktacular guide to keeping your fitness journey alive and well, even in late October. 

How to Make Healthy Choices During the Halloween Holiday

Halloween celebrations can be a real treat. Let’s be honest, though, this time of year can also be very hard for healthy nutrition habit maintenance. My biggest challenge is the overwhelming abundance of treats and the pressure to eat them all that halloween brings. 

Workouts are not too much tougher to get in, even with ghosts and goblins around. However, the bowls of candy and all the treats at parties can be hard to resist. 

And let’s not forget the push to participate. Co-workers want you to try caramel apples, and family members implore you to have second helpings. The pressure is on!

If that resonates, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, and it happens to everyone. Fortunately, there are a few 'treat tactics' I’ve learned over the years that will you power through Halloween. Here are a few strategies to help with that balance:

• Plan ahead: Set guidelines regarding how much candy you’ll eat at the given Halloween event or party. Prioritize the sweets you love most and leave the rest. Eat them slowly and really savor each bite to get the most out of less. 

• Stock up: Keep healthy foods available! If I forget to stock up, everything around me is unhealthy. Then, that’s what I end up eating. Keep nutritious choices on hand to mitigate the temptation. 

• Roleplay: Practice combatting that pressure to indulge with a few phrases beforehand. For example, you could say, “I’m sorry, I’m so full I can’t eat anymore. It looks delicious, though!” It sounds silly, but roleplaying makes declining treats easier in the moment.

The goal is to enjoy a few treats in moderation. It’s OK to indulge a little bit! We just don't want to go off the deep end and so that our hard earned progress ghosts us.

Holiday Fitness Tips for Halloween

Halloween is famous for spooky fun and costumes, but tempting treats can interfere with our fitness goals. Here are seven tips to enjoy the thrills and chills of late October while still making healthy choices during the holiday.

1. Prioritize the Week’s Workouts

When Halloween is coming up, make the week’s workouts nonnegotiable. Life could get in the way, but you should make the most of your routine. Move and adjust if need be, but set a realistic workout goal and stick to it.

2. Do Halloween-Themed Exercises

Halloween is more famous for candy than crunches. However, you can apply a holiday theme to your fitness to make it even more fun. 

• Pumpkin squats: Find Charlie Brown’s great pumpkin and use it for squats! Use the techniques learned from your trainer to ensure proper form. 

• Spider planks: Are you ready to take your planks to the next level? Try the spider variant by moving one knee up to your elbow. 

• Monster crawls: Do monster crawls to get solid exercise and scare somebody! This workout involves doing a mini squat and taking small steps.

• Spider Curls: Instead of your regular bicep reps, try Corey’s variants to give your arms a great workout. Spider curls isolate your biceps and are excellent for the spooky season. 

3. Plan a Walk

Halloween workouts are great with  free weights and machines, but you can increase your activity by doing some walking too. One of the best spooky holiday fitness tips is planning walks. Stroll around the neighborhood for an hour or two and enjoy checking out the costumes. Another option is to walk around your city to see fun events and interesting get-ups.

4. Find Any Way to Be Active

Getting active on Halloween is easier than you think. If you spend time with family and friends, incorporate games into your itinerary. For example, a scavenger hunt or haunted house will get you moving.

5. Stay Hydrated

If your Halloween will be active, remember hydration as one of your holiday fitness tips. Carry a reusable thermos with water to remind yourself to drink. How much do you need each day? At Chris Protein Personal Training, we do a complete body composition analysis to analyze your hydration and provide insights. 

6. Watch Your Liquid Intake

If you’re trying to stay healthy, people around you likely have a similar mentality. Experts say 65% of consumers prioritize health when spending money. When enjoying Halloween, be aware of your liquid intake because some drinks are sugar bombs. Prioritize low-sugar sports drinks and lower portions of cider and pumpkin lattes.  

7. Eat Balanced Meals on Halloween

Some people skip breakfast or lunch to make room for their treats later. However, this strategy can backfire and make you overdo it on the treats. Instead, prioritize balanced meals throughout the day. Fiber, protein and healthful carb and fat sources can go a long way towards preventing overeating.

Make Halloween Healthy With Chris Protein Personal Training

Learning how to make healthy choices during the Halloween holiday is imperative to your fitness goals. While costumes and parties make spooky season fun, treats add a tasty and challenging layer. A few simple tricks can make the day easier!

If you want accountability and professional guidance, book a free transformation session at Chris Protein Personal Training in Austin, Texas! The first visit provides a comprehensive health assessment, a facility tour and a personalized fitness plan to reach your goals.