The most wonderful time of the year can also be the most stressful. Sometimes our health and fitness take a backseat as we are overwhelmed in the holiday season and decide to try again in the new year.
Putting too much pressure on yourself to maintain your fitness during the holidays can be discouraging and take the fun out of fitness for you, but it doesn’t have to be this way!
What if I told you there was a healthy way to keep up with your fitness during the holidays and set yourself up for success in the new year?
Here are my top 7 tips for keeping up with fitness during the holidays:
#1 Take the Pressure Off
To incorporate fitness in a healthy way, it will help if you simply let go of the guilt. Take a humongous eraser and wipe that off!
This time of year will look different and it may slow you down. Once you accept this, incorporating fitness into your holiday plans is empowering instead of overwhelming. Because when you do activities for your health and fitness, it’s a true WIN during this harder time of year.
Look at you go, queen!
#2 Set Special Goals – just for this month
It is easy to push your goals until next year, but it would be great to set December goals that acknowledge the effects of the holiday season.
Even if your goals are slightly less ambitious this month, they still matter and they will help you maintain a healthy lifestyle during the holidays.
#3 Make a Plan!
When it comes to the holidays, you need to expect the unexpected. Last-minute plans or even a visit from a friend!
This is why you need consider this when scheduling a workout during a time you have free and when there’s the least chance of unexpected plans.
#4 Keep it Short
It is better to have a short workout than no workout at all!
Be kind to yourself (and your busy schedule). Find short, but effective, workout routines to squeeze into your day.
#5 Make it Festive
Yes, you can combine your exercise into holiday activities!
Try walking around your neighborhood to see the Christmas decorations, if you have snow in your area do a snow-themed activity, even shoveling counts as exercise!
Get the family involved and it becomes more than a workout, it becomes a memory!
#6 Stay Hydrated
Drinking water is essential for a healthy lifestyle, even more so if you’re straying away from your usual eating habits and consuming alcohol.
Try to drink a glass of water in the morning, evening, and with every meal!
#7 Remember Why You Started
It is easy to fall into bad habits, especially during the holidays.
The best way to keep yourself motivated is to remind yourself of your goals and remember why you are trying to live a happier and healthier life. Grab a fun, motivating t-shirt or sweatshirt to help remind you.
Always remember to be your own biggest fan!
#8 You Can Press RESET At Any Time
If you fall out of routine, or overindulge, you don’t have to wait for the next month, the next week, or even the next day to get back on track.
Take a moment and write down how you want to spend the rest of your day or week and include healthy habits and plans that will get you back on track for your goals! Try this free printable habit tracker to make it easy to do this right now!
With these tips in mind, you can plan to have a guilt-free holiday season. It is possible to maintain your healthy lifestyle while indulging in the holidays, you just have to find a healthy compromise!
Adjusting your routines is normal this time of year, if you’re ever feeling discouraged just remember this quote:
You got this!
Have a great holiday season and refer back to this post whenever you need motivation to stick with your fitness during the holiday season!