Yes we are still in the pandemic, still taking precautions and putting that aside, with 2 more holidays to go, how is your health and fitness doing nowadays? Have you fallen behind, are you mentally on the brink or are you a lucky one and managed to keep up with yourself?
Introduction
We have had alot of life happen over the passed 10 months. Now we are in the middle of holiday season still with Christmas and the New Years to go. For some these holidays are just regular days of the week and others embrace the holidays with all they got.
Life happens to the best of us when we are running around to get this or that gift, buying food items for holiday meals, travelling from one place to the next on top of your already busy daily schedule. BUT that doesn’t mean you have to just let everything go and forget about all the fitness work you have done up to this point just because life happens.
What is always true
We can’t control everything but what we can control is how we react in those situations. We can also control how much we move and how much and what we put inside of our bodies AND how we treat ourselves.
We adapt when situations are not ideal or how we planned. We make changes and ultimately we succeed and keep moving forward.
Let’s keep this one short and sweet
So here is a list of ways to keep healthy and fit during the holidays:
- First off relax, you will be fine if you screw up 1 meal, even 1 day but keep it to ONE MEAL OR DAY and go for a walk after 😉
- Any kind of activity is good. So if you want to go for a walk in the morning and then maybe with family before or after dinner that’s great. BUT what if its raining, oh the power of the internet. YOUTUBE.com is your friend and there are a bazillion workouts of any kind for free. If you happen to be in a remote part of the world where there is no internet, then you have squats, lunges, push ups, core work with planks and abdominal crunches and jumping jacks and maybe some jump squats, skipping and walking that will hold you for awhile.
- You don’t have to eat all the food but eat what you like and stop when 80% full.
- Alcohol. Ok I will be the alcohol police here. You don’t need the junk lol BUT 1 drink with dinner with lots of water will be just fine. The whole bottle will NOT do your mind or body any good whatsoever. If you are drinking to cope due to family insecurities or challenges then this is not a healthy habit. A quick yoga practice with poses and breathe OR just breathe work alone aka meditation will benefit you more in these situations than any bottle will. On average we take 20000 breathes per day. The bottle will be empty wayyyyy before that.
- CHEW YOUR FOOD SLOWLY. Now only will this benefit your digestion process but it will also slow down your eating and you will be able to taste and savor your food. There is no rushing in holiday meals. There isn’t anywhere to be especially nowadays so slow down. Mindful eating wins.
- Sleep. Get a good night’s sleep before the holiday family day(s) happen. A fully rested body will not need to cope with overfeeding to make it feel better. Plus emotionally you will feel better if you are completely rested. Even give yourself the gift of a nap if possible. It’s a busy time, take rest. 30-45 mins is a nice refresher.
- Drink water. Drink 4oz before you drink your morning coffee and continue with however much water throughout the day then drink a big glass with dinner. Water takes up space in the stomach. So having extra water in the belly will also help reduce how much you eat. Plus hydration is very important to your health since our bodies are about 60% comprised of water.
- ENJOY your time with your friends and family even if it may be a virtual event. Better to be safe than well you know the saying. All of this is temporary and will end soon enough. If you are lucky to have family in house, this may also be a temporary thing. So enjoy all the little moments.
- Oh and don’t forget to SMILE, it is good medicine for you and for others.
Hope those help. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.
Thanks for reading,
Coach Tanya
Need help? Email info@fit-appeal.com and we will do our best.
