Keeping a Healthy Routine During the Holidays

The holiday season is a great opportunity to refresh, recharge, and practice some good self care. We get to spend quality time with loved ones, enjoy vacation time off of work, and eat delicious food! As our schedules fill up with social events and large meals shared with family and friends, it can be hard to make time to stay active and keep track of what we’re consuming all day long. Plus many social events revolve around sedentary activities. Being surrounded by endless snacks, ample spirits, sugary desserts, and fattening easts, it’s easy to fall back into old habits.

As soon as you’re done with the leftover Halloween candy, Thanksgiving rolls around and it’s time to chow down on some hearty, home cooked meals. Before you know it, it’ll be Christmas and the egg nog and ham will be calling your name. That’s why getting active and staying in shape will always be one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions. Between Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas, it seems impossible to keep active and shed the extra weight. But not this year!

We promise with smart planning, it is possible to keep up with your exercise routine and healthy lifestyle during the holiday season! Total Impact has all the tricks and tips for avoiding common winter weight gain. All you need are the right tips to help you maintain a healthy balance without compromising all the fun.

Here’s our expert guide to maintaining healthy habits during the holidays…

5 Tips for a Healthy Holiday Season Routine

1.Manage Your Meals

Managing your meals at parties and dinners can be challenging. Plus, special holiday delicacies also make it hard to control your cravings. What you can do is eat in moderation, also known as portion control. Ideally, you should do it throughout the year, but it becomes more important in these months. It allows you to enjoy all the different foods and desserts without the guilt. Diet is a big component to reaching health & fitness goals!

Opting for one cookie instead of three, for instance, satisfies your cravings without overindulging. Over subbing fruit for sweet treats to save you from the sugar rush. Make sure to always have some vegetables on your plate to balance out nutrition. Also, be mindful of your alcohol intake. Going overboard is very easy and can affect your health. Note: If you have an underlying medical condition, speak to your doctors about dietary precautions. Better to be safe than sorry!

2.Accountability Partners

Making a group effort is key to success. If a buddy or family member also commits to incorporating healthy habits, this support will keep you on track. It’s always good to have an accountability partner. Likewise, try coordinating some outdoor seasonal activities (like skiing, snowboarding, ice skating) instead of watching Netflix while glued to the couch.

These activities not only keep the group moving while enjoying themselves and bonding, but it’s also a great way to take advantage of all the winter season has to offer. Plus the more active we are having fun, the less we think about snacking or going for another eggnog. You may schedule games and sports before a hearty meal to work up an appetite and burn calories while you consume!

3.Plan for an Active Vacation

The holidays are always a popular time for family vacations. Moving away from your regular environment can make us complacent and sedentary. However, you can make some changes for the better. Engage in activities that you can find in the area, whether it be taking a hike outside in nature, swimming at the hotel pool, or visiting the local YMCA for a workout.

If you’re planning to stay home for a staycation, make sure to keep up with your exercise and workout routines. So if you’re already a member of a fitness studio or gym, keep going to your regular classes! One of the best things about martial arts training is that it’s year round. Many sports have an offseason during the winter months, but not martial arts. We offer a variety of adult classes throughout the week so you can fit your workout in with your busy holiday schedule!

4.Set Your Limits and Your Routine

Self care also involves responsible decision-making. Not to deprive yourself, but to keep a healthy balance and set your future self up for success! If you tend to go overboard indulging on food and drinks during the holidays, it is extremely important to recognize and set your limits. Activities, regular dinners, and multiple social events can take a toll on your mental and emotional well-being.

Here are a few pro tips…

• Do not let go of your daily routine. Try to wake up and go to sleep at the same time every day.
• Make healthy meals when you are eating at home. This helps at least control your nutrition when you’re at home.
• Stay hydrated! Drink lots of water. It may be winter but your body still needs adequate amounts of water to keep healthy and hydrated.
• You do not have to attend all events. With buzzing social calendars, it is easy to feel exhausted. Choose which events you should go to and let go of others.
• Choose who you want to spend time with. With the holidays around, it can feel like an obligation to meet and hang out with everyone, even if you do not like them. Don’t feel guilty about saying no!

5.Join a Fitness Program

There’s no time like the present to invest in yourself! Get ahead on your New Year’s health and fitness resolutions by starting now. The combination of gloomy weather, the busy holidays, and the abundance of food can make us feel lazy, uninspired, and inactive. But you can combat this by signing up for a group fitness class!

Working out is proven to boost endorphins and help you beat the winter blues. By signing up for kickboxing or krav maga classes, you’re making a commitment to yourself. Aside from looking your best and feeling your best, group fitness is a great place to make new friends and stay accountable to your fitness regimen. Plus, exercise is a healthy effective stress reliever or outlet for releasing emotions. Ready for a stronger mind and body this season?