For many of us, the road to New Year’s Eve is paved with goodies. Mom’s peanut butter fudge. The neighbor’s chocolate-dipped pretzels. Your bestie’s lemon bars. And then we skip the gym, because hey! Hallmark movies are on.
No one wants to start the New Year in stretchy pants. So what can you do when temptation is all around? Here are my top 5 tips for staying fit over the holiday season.
1. Indulge sensibly.
The key word here? Sensibly. For starters, be picky. Choose those special treats that you can only enjoy during the holidays. If Grandma only makes her world-famous almond cookies on Christmas Eve, have one. Heck, have two. Then politely tell her you’re full.
Another tip: only eat your favorites. When you’re surrounded by sweets, pick the one you absolutely must have and guiltlessly enjoy every single crumb. Not a sweets person? The same rule applies to holiday meals. Don’t load up on the bread basket and the appetizers and the side dishes. Pick the one or two extras you can’t live without, and relish every forkful. It’s a lot easier to say no to more goodies when you’ve already had your favorites.
2. Watch your alcohol intake.
A glass of wine hovers at around 125 calories. A margarita? 150 calories. So a few drinks here and there can wreak havoc with your fitness goals. You don’t have to skip the midnight toast, just don’t overdo it. So sip your mistletoe-tini, then switch to water or a low-cal seltzer. Your body will thank you for it when you wake up energized for the next day’s workout!
3. Be creative.
You may love your after-work Pilates class, but if you have to skip it, don’t give up on working out for the day. Find an alternative. There are plenty of excellent (free!) fitness classes available through different web sites and apps. My favorite is FitOn – they offer a wide variety of fitness formats with top-notch instructors. Not into online workouts? Switch up your times – if you can’t fit in an evening class due to holiday commitments, squeeze in a morning workout or a lunch-hour walk instead. Remember: some workout is better than none. Or opt for a quick workout when you’re short on time. If you can’t do your usual 5 miles, you’ll feel better running 3 miles than not running at all.
4. Choose FUN!
Whenever possible, replace your usual workout with seasonal activities. If it’s not too cold, a brisk outdoor walk is just the thing for physical and mental health, both. Pick a spot where you can appreciate the holiday lights and decorations. Would you rather play than walk? Building a snowman will burn off those holiday cookies quicker than you can say “Frosty.” No snow? Try ice skating – indoors or out. Or put on your favorite Christmas tunes and dance around the tree. Bonus points if you shimmy your sweetie over to the mistletoe!
5. Find an accountability buddy.
Be each other’s cheerleaders. Share your workout goals and check in with “sweaty selfies” to keep on track. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing your workout plans with someone else, be your own accountability buddy. Schedule your workouts into your phone or journal, and hold yourself to it. Checking an item off a list = holiday joy.
One final thought: the most important fitness tip over the holidays is to be kind to yourself.
Show yourself the same grace you would show a friend. We all make mistakes; one little slip-up doesn’t mean that your entire fitness routine is ruined.
Take a deep breath and start over. You’ve got this!
