During this time of year, you may find it difficult to continue getting enough exercise in with all of the family gatherings and extra events that you have to attend. Many people actually stop working out completely or wind up eating everything in sight because they don't think there's a way to enjoy the holidays while still staying healthy. Fortunately, there are some ways to fit exercise in and not lose all of the progress that you’ve been making. Here’s how to continue to exercise and stay healthy through the holidays!
Incorporate Workouts Into Your Day
There are all sorts of ways that you can incorporate workouts into your day no matter how busy you are. Get up an hour early to do a home workout. Go for a walk after dinner with your family. When you have to do all of that holiday shopping, you should park as far out as possible so that you can get some extra steps in as well. Try to take the stairs whenever possible. Purchase a stepper that you can keep under your desk to get your legs moving throughout the day. By doing all of these things you can easily improve your fitness levels, and you may end up being more healthy than you were before the holiday season began.
Try Something New
The biggest thing that may be holding you back is a lack of motivation. It’s difficult to want to get up and exercise after you’ve had a late night out at a work party or dinner at a family member’s house. You may be able to combat this by trying something new. Participate in some sort of activity that you’ve always want to try but never got the chance to do. Many individuals enjoy things like taking up salsa dancing or joining a sports league.
Make It A Family Affair
You may be tempted to forego working out because you feel guilty about not spending time with your family. However, you can avoid this guilt by making it a family affair. Have your family exercise with you as much as possible. Dependent on the weather conditions, you can find all sorts of outdoor activities to participate in with them such as skiing or hiking. You could also enroll in a class together, or you can utilize workout videos at home. Even running around playing frisbee at the park or throwing a ball to each other in the backyard will get your heart pumping and allow you to all become healthier. The key to getting your family to want to workout with you is to ask them what kind of activities that they want to do. You may find that they have a lot of fun ideas that all of you will enjoy.
Get Creative
One of the hardest parts about staying active this time of year is that there’s just so much to do. You may find yourself having to entertain out of town guests or having to go to last minute plays or holiday shows that you get invited to. Because of this, it’s far too easy to forget about being active. The good news is that you can still remember to exercise by being creative. Set an alarm on your phone that will alert you when it’s time to workout. You can also download an app that will send you reminders to exercise throughout the day. Ask a friend to ask you about your exercise routine each day to help you remember to be active.
Combat Lack Of Movement By Eating Better
No matter how much you want to exercise on a consistent basis during this time of year, you might find it difficult to stay consistent. Fortunately, you may be able to combat some of your lack of movement by eating better. Many individuals find it beneficial to have clean eating habits. Eatcleanbro.com sells a lot of delicious options that are convenient for those with a busy lifestyle. A lot of people find that eating healthy is particularly difficult during the holidays just because there’s so much temptation around them. This is why it’s a good idea to be prepared for this so that you can make healthier decisions. Keep healthy snacks with you that you can easily fill up on before those holiday or office parties. Fruit, vegetables, granola bars and beef jerky are all great options because they are filling and don’t require refrigeration. When you are going out to eat with loved ones, you should order an appetizer instead of a full entree if you want to limit your portion sizes. You also can’t go wrong with eating lean meats and vegetables rather than pasta dishes or bread-based items.
While remaining active and making good choices can be difficult during this time of year, you will find that there are plenty of things that you can do to keep from losing all of your progress. By utilizing all of the tips mentioned above, you can still enjoy the holidays without feeling like you have to sacrifice either time with your loved ones or your healthy habits.