Healthy Holiday Tips

The festive season is upon us which may mean diet debauchery and abandoned fitness regimes.  Many people fall off the exercise and healthy eating bandwagon during the holidays or rule out the idea of getting into shape during the month of December, assuming there is no point in starting until the New Year; however, it doesn’t have to be this way!  With a little forward planning and some self-discipline, it is possible to enjoy a healthy Christmas and enter in to the New Year feeling fit.
 
Here are a few quick tips to help you out:
 

• Get your exercise over and done with in the morning.  If you typically work out in the evening, why not switch things up with a morning workout if you’re on holidays?  You can get your exercise done for the day and kickstart your metabolism so that you don’t feel as guilty for indulging in all of the sweet treats!

 

• Stay active in other ways.  If your schedule demands are too much for you to get into the studio, try some fun seasonal outdoor activities like ice skating, a long winter walk or even a snowball fight!

 

• Stock your freezer with healthy meals.  The holiday season is so busy with shopping, decorating or spending time with family and friends, which leaves little time to cook healthy meals.  Take action several weeks ahead of time by cooking freezer-friendly meals.  You’ll thank yourself later knowing you can pop one of those delicious meals into oven or microwave rather than hitting up a fast food joint!

 

• Drink lots of water.  Water helps to curb your appetite and keeps you hydrated.  (It’s especially important to keep yourself hydrated if your festivities include alcohol.)  Try drinking a litre of water before your big Christmas dinner – you’ll feel fuller and will be less inclined to gorge yourself!

 
Most importantly, enjoy yourself!  Try not to stress too much about putting on a few extra pounds during the holidays.  Spending time with your loved ones is the priority, and the studio will be ready for you in the New Year!