The holidays are a wonderful time of year for food, family, and friendship, but they aren’t always kind to your waistline. Between holiday happy hours and fully stocked dessert tables, opportunities to overindulge are plenty. Before you give up on your goals and start planning your New Year’s resolution, know that you don’t have to choose between enjoying the holidays and staying healthy.
With the right mindset and a little preparation, you can take part in holiday festivities without being overwhelmed by guilt. There’s no reason you can’t stay healthy during the holidays while still enjoying what this wonderful time of year has to offer! Here are some simple tips to get you started.
Find new ways to stay active
It’s easy to neglect your workout routine during the holidays. When you’re busy with holiday decorating and party planning or putting in extra hours at work in anticipation of taking a few days off, the thought of working out can be overwhelming. The good news is, there are plenty of ways to stay healthy and fit without spending your holidays at the gym. Go for a walk or jog, try an at-home workout routine, or take an online fitness class. Now is the perfect time to try something new.
Customize your diet and routine
If you want to stay healthy through the holidays, you have to keep up with your routine. That can be tricky when your favorite gym is closed or you’re traveling to see family, but it just means you need to think ahead and make some adjustments to stay on track. Tools like Vivoo can help you customize your diet and workout routine to keep up with your body’s changing needs. In just 120 seconds, you’ll receive insight into key aspects of your current health along with detailed advice for how to adjust your routine to make improvements in nutrition, hydration, and overall wellness.
Enjoy without overindulging
There’s nothing wrong with treating yourself during the holidays, just try not to go overboard. Fill your plate with protein and veggies and maybe skip that second helping of dessert. Be wary of booze in particular. Though it may be fun and festive, alcohol is nothing but empty calories and excessive drinking could interfere with your health and fitness goals. Drink in moderation or stay healthy by swapping out the spiked eggnog for a mug of a hot tea or a glass of club soda.
Take time for yourself
Between budgeting for gifts, hosting holiday gatherings, and traveling to see family, the holidays can be a season of stress. Though your social calendar may not be quite so packed this year, there’s bound to be a lot on your mind and on your plate. Make sure you take time to relax and enjoy the season! Self-care is important all year-round, so make stress relief a priority to keep your spirits bright. Just fifteen minutes of mindfulness meditation per day or something as simple as soaking in a hot bath while listening to your favorite music can make a difference in your mood.
Fuel your body for success
Even if you’re not bouncing from one-holiday party to another every weekend like in years past, there’s still plenty of temptation to throw your nutrition goals out the window. If you struggle to say no when surrounded by sweets or other tempting holiday treats, do yourself a favor and fuel up first with a collagen protein powder shake. Getting a nutritious start to your day is one of the best ways to stay healthy and it may even help you stick to your goals later in the face of temptation. Blend up a nutritious shake with your favorite fruit and Greek yogurt and sip on your way to the party. You’ll be able to taste everything you want, but you won’t be tempted to take that second slice of pie!
Practice mindfulness in all things
It's very easy to immerse yourself in holiday festivities. Before you know it, you refilled your plate twice and you’re working on your third slice of pie. There’s nothing wrong with indulging in everything the holidays have to offer. But it’s important to practice mindfulness so you can truly enjoy and appreciate the experience without overdoing it. As you eat, drink, and be merry, pay attention to the tiny details that make every moment special – slow down and be present. After all, these are the things you’ll remember most after the holiday season has passed.
After a long and difficult year, you may be ready to throw caution to the wind and dive head-first into the holiday season. Enjoying the holidays doesn’t have to come at the expense of your health and fitness, however. Whatever form your holiday celebrations take this year, make sure to include time for rest and relaxation. Put some of these simple tips to work to stay healthy this holiday season.
