NOW, let’s get back to how you can not lose all your hard work in improving your health and fitness. Every year people seem to use this time as an excuse to be inconsistent in exercising and nutrition. Let us investigate the future (or past for most). You eat what you want, when you want, during this holiday season. You make excuse after excuse and exercise less and less. You start back up in January and wonder why you are having trouble meeting your goals. Finally get back into a groove after summer vacation and BOOM we are right back to where we are now. Yes, you exercised and that is great, but each year you wonder why a certain health marker is back to a level that is not so good, or you look back at some pictures you wish you looked better wearing a bathing suit.YOU have the control to stop this cycle and still have fun, eat delicious food, and stay on track with your health and fitness goals.
Here is how:
| 1. Plan Ahead |
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If you are traveling, many gyms have holiday membership specials or you can bring a TRX, tubes, a jump rope, and your favorite running or hiking shoes (depending on where you are going). Plan what you are doing each day and complete it first thing in the morning before everyone else is awake.Your family or friends may not be as dedicated when it comes to the nutrition department. If you know this already, think ahead of time about what more aligns with your goals. This does not mean to not enjoy Thanksgiving dinner and have some delicious desserts, but it does mean you should be strategic about it. Start with the foods that are still within your dietary goals and guidelines. Just have tastes of the other things to still get the taste and fun without overfilling yourself. Find what moderation means to you.
If you are the one hosting, stay focused. Do not use this as an excuse to fall off the wagon. Invite them to exercise with you. Have your meals ready for the week or just set the expectation that healthy eating is part of the deal at staying at your house (until Thanksgiving, then all bets are off).
2. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years is NOT the Problem
Remember, these are only 3 days. It is almost impossible to lose the progress and hard work you have built this year in 3 days. It is possible to lose some of the progress in the span of 6 weeks if you make this a 6-week hiatus and sedentary attack on yourself. DO NOT let that be you this year. Stay on track, stay focused, and do not make excuses. Your normal routine may have some interruptions. Accept it and focus on what you CAN do and not what you can’t do. Get the job done.
| 3. RELAX |
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Most of us have some form of stress in our lives. Use this time of the year to down regulate. Smile more. Get more sleep. Get a massage. Hang out with your family and friends. There are some very powerful chemicals in your body like endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin that can vastly improve your well-being just by being happy and exposed to love and purpose. Remember, our PHP team is here for you no matter what.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!