As Christmas is fast approaching and we head into this festive season, we all need a little help staying on track with our health and fitness goals! And whilst we know Christmas is 25 days away, there can be numerous end of year celebrations that may throw us off our health and fitness routine.
Here are some tips that we learnt over the years to help stay on track during this holiday season!
1. Find a healthy balance
Follow the 80/20 rule – eating healthy 80% of the time but also allowing some room for treats (20%) on the weekends or during those special occasions! And when it comes to those holiday events, we suggest to try and limit alcoholic beverages consumed. Not only is alcohol empty calories but it also tempts you into eating more and set us back on our health and fitness journey.
2. Try to get your workout in early
We know the silly season can be a hectic time, but we still need to be conscious about being physically active. Try to get your workout in early so if something comes up after work or in life, you won’t have to feel guilty about skipping your session. If you are not a morning person, you can even try to squeeze in a workout on your lunch break or get active at work. After all, a short workout is better than no workout at all!
3. Drink a lot of water
If you have plans to go to the office Christmas party or head out with friends on a Saturday night, don’t neglect consuming water. Not only will this reduce the sluggish feeling the following day, but nothing dulls that radiant glow faster than dehydrated skin! If you’re out drinking, try to have one drink and a water in between the next!
4. Get lots of sleep
Whenever we think of the festive season (especially with children), we immediately think about the lack of sleep we will obtain each week Christmas draws closer! Nothing feels better then waking up after a deep sleep. The mind feels fresh, the body has recovered from the previous day and you are ready to tackle whatever the silly season throws at you.
When your body enters a proper restful stage of sleep it does amazing things;
- Your pituitary gland releases growth hormones which helps your body grow and repair
- Your immune systems released cytokines which fight inflammation and infection
- Your brain’s glymphatic system clears out waste from the central nervous system
5. Bring healthier snacks or treats to parties
Whether it be a veggie tray or fruit with a yogurt dip, there’s always a healthier option! Next time you head to a holiday party, try vegetables with guacamole and fruit skewers with a yogurt and nut butter dip! Simple but delicious!
6. Find an accountability partner or join a challenge
This is one of our favourite ways to stay on track! We know morning workouts can be tough but we have a bootcamp booked or a session with a friend, we can’t bail or hit that snooze alarm!
There are also so many different challenges that you can hop on to keep you on track, like a 7 day no sugar challenge or even water challenges to make sure you’re staying hydrated! You can even start a challenge yourself with a group of your friends!
7. Plan ahead
The key to succeeding on your health and fitness journey is to plan ahead! This is great especially if you’re traveling to see family and friends during the holidays! If you are going on vacation for a week and don’t have access to your normal gym or studio, think about how you plan to get your workout in. There are many at home workout or outdoor training guides you can choose from!
With these simple but effective step, it can be easier to stay on track during the holidays than you think!
As important as it is to stay on track during the holidays, don’t forget to find a healthy balance that works for your schedule! You can simply start small with a couple of these tips and slowing increase as Christmas draw closer!
Disclaimer: The above article is merely a guide and is in no way a recommendation or a treatment protocol for any health conditions or diseases. You should always consult with a qualified health care provider before changing your supplement, training or nutritional strategy. Supplementation should not be attempted by pregnant or breastfeeding women, anyone on prescription medication or children under the age of 15 unless advised by your qualified health care provider.
