How to keep Merry-Fitmas!
December 4, 2018 4:14 pm / Posted in Articles, BlogWe’ve made it to the end of 2018 and the fun is just starting. It’s time to deck those halls! Spin that dreidel! Celebrate the solstice! Whatever your faith or culture, there is no doubt that the holidays are finally here, bringing with them prime time for food, fun, family, and friends. Admittedly, though, this time of year can get stressful and overwhelming with all that needs to be done: shopping, cooking, baking, volunteering, caroling, and attending social events on top of your regular routine. We all know the expression “holiday weight” – those extra pounds that can creep on between November and January and are notoriously hard to lose – so what can you do to keep your good habits going through a typically fattening season? Here are 4 tips to make sure you have a truly fit-mas:
- Keep up the good work
Find small ways to continue the good habits you’ve already built; it’s easier to keep the momentum going, even if it slows down, than it is to start over once you’ve stopped all the way. If you’ve been working out in the mornings, for example, but now find yourself a bit more pressed for time, do an at-home workout when you get out of bed instead of taking the extra time to drive or walk to the gym. If your busy social calendar has you down to one day to meal prep instead of two, make twice as many healthy meals and freeze them, so they’ll last you the whole week. - Use exercise as stress relief
The holiday season can be stressful for a lot of people and what’s a better stress reliever than gettin’ your sweat on? Whenever you feel overwhelmed by holiday preparations, take a step back and get moving – a walk around the block, some bodyweight exercise, or a dance party in your room can do the trick. You’ll be feeling as good as new mentally and you’ll be doing your body a wonderful favour by sticking with your active lifestyle. - Take advantage of the weather
Okay, hear me out. Winter weather is awesome for winter sports – snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, skating, etc. – but it’s also an opportunity to get outside for brief bouts of movement. Sure, it’s kind of annoying to have to shovel your driveway, but why not make a game of it and get some physical activity in while you’re at it? Don’t let the weather dissuade you from living your best life!
- Have fun
It’s as important to have fun with your fitness and nutrition as it is any other time of the year. Amidst all the craziness that comes with gift-wrapping and whirlwind family visits, it’s key for you to have fun with what you’re doing. Do things that feel good to and for your body and enjoy your food and exercise; it’s much easier to keep going when the journey is as fun as the destination.
Leading a healthy lifestyle is a year-round thing; it takes consistency and persistence. What are your favourite ways to keep fit over the holidays?
Posted by Burke