The winter holidays are around the corner bringing more time indoors, busy schedules, and lots of tempting holiday treats. Don’t let all the festivities undo all the hard work you did over the past year. Use these 6 easy ways to stay in shape during the holiday season.
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1. Strive for a Near Normal Routine
It’s important to spend time with friends and family during the holidays. If your loved ones live long distance, it may be one of the few times during the year you get to be with them.
With all the shopping and planning for parties, it may be difficult to maintain your usual routine. If you normally work out five days a week, settle for three days instead. If you’re traveling, try to book a hotel with a fitness center.
2. Exercise Early
One of the best ways to stick to your workout routine is to exercise early in the morning. Set your alarm for a half-hour earlier. By getting it done early, you’re less likely to get distracted by all the holiday hoopla. An early workout routine will set the tone for a productive day and you’ll feel less stressed.
3. Keep Moving
There are more ways to burn calories than working out. Don’t overlook less strenuous activities. Be creative and try some tricks to keep moving during the day. Park further away, take the stairs, and take a brisk walk around the mall while you’re holiday shopping.
Avoid sitting for prolonged periods such as watching sports on TV and eating. Even getting up for a few minutes every half-hour or hour and moving around will be beneficial. Some fitness trackers will alert you to move around after every hour you’re inactive.
4. Eat Sensibly and Stay Hydrated
Eating healthy is an important part of staying fit. This doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your favorite holiday treats. The key is portion control. Eating a small high-protein meal before a party will help you manage portion control. If you arrive hungry you’ll be more likely to make bad choices.
Keep eating your fruits and veggies alongside holiday foods. They provide the nutrients to maintain good health. Snack mainly on treats like popcorn and dried fruits. Don’t cheat yourself out of holiday desserts, but keep them to a minimum. Drink six to eight glasses of water each day. Drink two of them before a calorie-laden meal, and sip water between alcoholic beverages.
5. Set Goals and Track Progress
Technology has made it easy to set goals and track progress. Use a fitness tracker that has features that count calories, set challenges and goals, and allow you to track your progress. Rewarding yourself with a special treat or activity will help hold you accountable and ensure success.
6. Try Something New
The New Year is upon us and it’s the perfect time to try something new. Grab a friend to work out with and get a fresh perspective with a new routine or class. Look into different formats such as Zumba, Tai Chi, or infrared heat workouts, the hot new way to earn the burn.