The holidays are always a tough time of the year for fitness. The stresses of shopping, traveling, and family certainly seem to take a toll on most of our fitness routines. Personally, I’m a creature of habit so sticking to a workout plan isn’t too bad on a normal 9-5 workday 5 days a week. However, throw in several days off from work and a crazy traveling schedule and my normal diet and exercise regimen is completely shot. Does this seem to sound familiar?
Common Holiday Fitness Problems:
1) Eating Too Much – First and foremost, holidays are a time for families to gather around the dinner table and gorge themselves with food. Every time we go to someone’s house in our family we are encouraged to eat and eat and eat. Food is also a common gift for us. Whether it is homemade fudge, chocolate cookies or candy, there is never, ever a shortage of food in our house for Christmas.
2) Eating the Wrong Things – In addition to having way too much on the holidays, it is also very common to eat things that are absolutely horrible for your body. Chocolates, cookies, candy, all types of fried foods, sodas, eggnog, sausages, rolls, biscuits, etc. These are some of the items that are constantly present around Christmas time in our family. Needless to say, these aren’t exactly health food items. It is quite easy to consume all your daily calories with holiday treats before the meals are even served. Somehow, no one ever remembers to bring the raw Christmas carrots, or the New Year’s tofu – maybe it’s time we started this tradition.
3) Inactivity – With the craziness of visiting family, opening presents and constantly eating, I usually don’t get much time to exercise in the days surrounding the holidays. It is just so natural for me to lay around with my friends and family, watch some TV or movies and become a complete bum. Extreme inactivity combined with eating too much junk food can be devastating to our fitness, but only if we let it.
Obvious Post-Holiday Solutions:
1) Eat Less – I bet you didn’t see this coming. Yes, eating less is obviously the crux of returning to a regular, healthy diet. After the holiday glutton fest it is important to return to normal sized meal portions at regularly scheduled times throughout the day. I’m sorry to break it too you, but you can’t constantly eat like we do on holiday binges.
2) Eat Better – The second blatantly obvious solution. Did you really think you could maintain any kind of healthy diet by continuing to indulge in chocolate fudge? I know that this is a special time of the year where we can all relax a little and celebrate with crazy foods, but once the parties are over and normal life begins again, don’t let a healthy diet fall along the wayside with those wonderful Christmas socks you received as presents from your Grandma. More fruits, veggies, and lean protein; less eggnog, fried foods, and cookies.
3) Be More Active – To get back on a regular exercise plan, you may need to ramp back up to speed. If you took an extended break from fitness of the crazy holidays then don’t expect to be performing at the same level you were a few weeks ago. But don’t let that get you down. Shake off the cobwebs from your bike, treadmill, or gym membership and show those holiday love handles who’s boss!
Need Post-Holiday Motivation?
1) Use the New Year as a Starting Point – I’m not a huge fan of New Year’s resolutions, but determination is something that everyone needs. Promise yourself that 2010 is going to be your best year of fitness yet. Let the fresh slate of your new calendar represent a new chapter in your life. With a whole year ahead of you, anything could be possible. Visualize where you want to be this time next year and make it a reality.
2) Don’t Dwell on Failures – If you were at all like me over the last few weeks (if you are still reading then you probably were) then you know you made some decisions that didn’t ultimately benefit your fitness goals recently. It’s time to let that go. Don’t dwell on failures. Sometimes people think that since their diets have already failed, then there is no use to keep trying. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Get back on the horse, or stationary bike, or climbing wall and forge ahead.
3) Look Forward to the Ultimate Goal – Think about the coming Summer. Think about hitting the beach with a new body and a renewed emphasis on health. Think about your next doctor’s visit with improved LDL/HDL numbers. It’s time to reflect upon whatever your personal fitness goals are. If your fitness momentum has come to screeching halt, use whatever means necessary to jumpstart yourself into the new year.
I’d also like to take this time to thank all the awesome people I’ve had a chance to meet through this blog over the past year. The comments and emails I get from you all is the best form of encouragement ever. You guys are the reason this blog is here and I’d like to thank you. If you have any other tips, suggestions, or stories from your own personal fitness adventures over the holiday or the past year feel free to share them in the comments. Have a blessed 2010!
