The holiday season is supposed to be a time to celebrate and rejoice – spend quality time with your family, go to a handful of holiday parties, and feast on some delicious food. The problem is, how can you do all of this and still manage to eat healthy and stay on top of your exercise routine? Where there’s a will, there’s a way.. right? Here are a few tips to help you find a balance between indulging without sacrificing your fitness gains during the holidays.

1. STAYING FIT DURING
THE HOLIDAYS
YOUR GUIDE TO
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2. PLAN AHEAD
Chances are that between decorating the
house, shopping for gifts, and hosting guests, it
will seem like you don’t have time to workout.
But if you plan out your training a month in
advance, nothing has to get in the way. Your
workout plans will be locked into your
calendar, and the holiday rush will take a step
back in your priority list. If you know you will
be travelling during the holidays, plan in
advance as well. Ramp up your workout
sessions previous to leaving town and use the
time during your vacation as recovery days.
Whatever you plan on doing, just take your
time to exercise as a serious commitment you
can’t afford to cancel or reschedule.
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3. BE AN EARLY BIRD
Beat the temptation to skip on exercising
by getting it done early in the morning. If
you already exercise early in the day, this
will be a breeze for you. If you’re the kind
of person who prefers to workout later in
the day or after work, move the routine to
early in the AM, at least until the holidays
are over. The change in schedule may be
a drag at first, but trust me it will be worth
it. You will avoid any last-minute changes
to plans from interfering with your
workout, and in the long-run you will
better about getting it done.
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4. FIND A TRAINING PARTNER
Staying motivated is key during the
holidays. A great way to do that is finding
a training partner. Grab your kids, your
spouse, or even a visiting family member
and include them in your workout
commitments. Turn your exercise into a
challenge with your partner. For example,
whoever skimps out or loses needs to
double up on a routine the next day. This
way you’ll not only turn exercising into
something fun, but you will also be less
likely to skip it.
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5. TRACK YOUR CALORIE INTAKE
Just like you will track your activity level,
you should also track your calorie intake,
especially during the holidays. With all
the parties, the cooking, the baking, and
the drinking it’s easy to lose track of
everything and then find yourself more
than a few pounds heavier once the
holidays are over. Keep a food diary or
log and remain aware of the amount of
calories you’re taking in and how you can
play around with that calorie intake. For
example, if you plan on feasting on some
high-calorie options, plan on eating
smaller portions or low-calorie foods
later in the day.
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6. HYDRATE
Whatever you do, stay hydrated! It’s a
known fact that your brain can confuse
thirst for hunger. So make sure to drink
eight glasses of water per day, and don’t
forget to drink to one to two big glasses
of water before a meal. If you’re the kind
of person who forgets to drink water,
especially when you’re running around
during the holidays, set a timer on your
phone to remind you to drink water. You
can also pack a large water bottle early in
the day, and carry it with you wherever
you go.
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7. INDULGE FOR A SINGLE DAY, NOT A SEASON
The most important thing during the
holidays is that you remain happy.
Remember, keeping up with an exercise
and diet routine doesn’t mean you have
to deprive yourself from indulging in the
holiday spirit. Have your cheat day and
enjoy your favorite foods. Just make sure
you indulge for one day, not from
Thanksgiving all the way up to New
Year’s Day.
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