HOW TO STAY CONSISTENT WITH YOUR FITNESS AROUND THE HOLIDAYS
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or something else, December is often chaotic. From work events to dinner parties and gift openings, your schedule can be very busy. Staying active and prioritizing your health can be a challenge to fit in, but it doesn’t have to be.
While I am not someone who encourages forcing yourself to workout intensely everyday, or to follow an extreme diet, I am someone who believes that movement benefits mental and physical health, and it’s hard to get through the holidays without a bit of ‘me time’. It can also be hard to reach your goals when you take long breaks and lose a habit you’ve created, and then need to build it back up.
To maintain your lifestyle and stay consistent, you need more than just discipline, you need balance. So here are 5 ways to stay consistent with exercise during the holiday season.
Redefine your definition of consistency.
So right now you workout 5 days a week, maybe during the holidays you consider a new workout schedule. Instead, workout 3-4 times per week. Give yourself grace by not setting your expectations too high. Remember SMART Goals, R = realistic.
Gentle consistency.
It’s time to get rid of the all or nothing mindset. Fitness is not black or white and neither is life. We ebb and flow through each day, so why shouldn’t our fitness routine?
All movement counts!
Your workout doesn’t not need to be intense and long for it to count as movement. Go for a walk with your family, take a 30 minute virtual yoga class, play with your kids! Any movement will benefit your mental and physical health.
Schedule your movement.
Just as you schedule dinner with your in-laws, and your work Christmas party, schedule in movement. If you know on the 26th, that you have the morning free, that’s your time to plan a family walk, or gym session. As I mentioned previously, you can use a spare 15 minutes to do anything movement related, block it off on your calendar.
Reduce your barriers to movement.
There are many reasons to procrastinate or bail on your workout, trust me, I’ve been there, but you can reduce those barriers! Set out your workout clothes the night before, set up a small workout area in your home so the equipment is easily accessible, and workout with your kids running around. Don't let these barriers stop you from reaching your goal.
I hope these tips help make your holiday season a bit easier, and keep you working towards your goals!
Happy Holidays!
