The holidays are a time when many people tend to indulge in food and drinks that they don't normally have. This can lead to weight gain, which can be frustrating if you've been working hard to stay fit and healthy. But don't worry – there are ways to stay active and exercise during the holidays.
Tips on How to Stay Fit and Healthy During the Holidays
The busy holiday season is a difficult time for sticking to one's fitness goals because of the increase in parties, social events, festivities and travel. People often become less active during this time, which leads to gaining weight or staying at a plateau. Even staying physically active can be very challenging because of the change in daily routine. Many people don't know how to make staying fit and healthy easy during times like these. Here are 7 ways to stay on track with your health goals during the holidays:
Set a schedule
Maintaining a fitness plan will help you stay motivated by reminding you that there's something specific you need to do every day. Seeing your workout routine as a crucial appointment or meeting at work that might make or break your goals can provide you with the motivation you require. Your exercise routine could be something as simple as going for a 30-minute walk every morning or hitting the gym for an hour after work.
Stick to a short but intense workout
Don't overdo it. Holiday meals tend to be high in calories and fat, so your workouts should reflect that. Keep them short but intense so you can burn off more calories in a shorter amount of time. Try interval training, which involves alternating between high-intensity and low-intensity exercises throughout your workout. A quick workout is better than no workout.
Find a workout buddy
Workouts are always more fun and challenging when you have someone to do them with. Find a friend or family member to join you in your regular exercise routine. Aside from getting to spend quality time with each other, catching up on each other's life while working out as exercise partners is an excellent way to make even the most strenuous exercise enjoyable. If there's no one in your family who shares your passion, a personal trainer can assist you in maintaining your momentum.
Source: International Sports Sciences Association
Cut back on sugar
Sugar can lead to holiday weight gain. Try to avoid eating sugary foods as much as possible and enjoy a treat every once in a while. You can reduce sugar by staying away from candy, desserts like cakes and cookies, and sodas. There are many other ways to enjoy a holiday party without eating lots of sugar. Have a bowl of fruit or a slice of Greek yoghurt cheesecake instead of heavy cream cheesecake. Finish your Christmas dinner party with a cup of delectable hot chocolate.
Try other physical activities
There are many different types of workouts to try besides running on the treadmill at the gym, so why not give it a shot? Boxing or yoga can provide an intense workout that is low-impact on the body (but highly beneficial for the mind!). Buying some new fitness equipment for your home, like a yoga mat or boxing gloves, can help incentivize you to try something new. Who knows, you may fall in love with it and make it a regular part of your usual routine.
Stay hydrated
Water is the best drink you can have to stay hydrated and keep your workouts going strong! It's important to remember to drink lots of water throughout the day and before (and after) working out.
Take a short break from exercise
Although exercising during the holidays can be one of the most rewarding things you can do for yourself, don't forget to relax and enjoy. After all, it's only a few weeks. Balance out healthy food choices with a short, intense exercise routine. You will feel revitalised after giving your body some much needed downtime, and your workouts will be more effective once you return to them.
It's easy to go overboard with high calorie foods and big meals during the holidays. However, take advantage of this festive time by staying active instead of lounging around binge watching Netflix all day. Staying active will help prevent any weight gain or other health issues that might arise from staying immobile during the holiday season. If you stick to your workout routine, staying fit won't feel like such a struggle and it'll help reduce holiday weight gain. You'll look better under the mistletoe too!
