It’s the most busy time of the yearrrrr…. Sigh
Somehow, every year, I am surprised by how busy my calendar becomes. From holiday parties to family dinners, my plate becomes so full over the span of just 8 weeks.
If you feel the same way, but want to still incorporate fitness and healthy eating into your life, then keep reading.
How to Navigate Fitness Through the Holiday Season
Oftentimes, people will say “screw it” or completely throw in the towel on their fitness goals through the end of the year. But what if you didn’t have to pause and wait until January 1st? What if, instead, you kept up your current routine but gave yourself flexibility as the season approaches?
Be Realistic and Flexible
Maybe you’ve been able to hit 5 workouts per week, but now with your schedule filling up with holiday obligations, you’ve been routinely missing that 5th training day, and quite frankly, beating yourself up about it.
My suggestion is to adjust your workout program. Switch to four days per week, and if you ever have time for that 5th day, great. If not, 4 days is a great goal for your newly filled up schedule.
Setting yourself up for a realistic plan through this season will help you feel like you’re staying in your routine, without making you feel like you need to completely throw in the towel on your fitness regime because you can’t make all of the days that used to once work for you, work.
Eat Regular Meals
If you feel tempted to not eat all day so that you are hungry for the big Thanksgiving dinner (or the big meal party you’re having with the family), I encourage you to eat like you normally do throughout the day. Just like any other time of year, eating regularly throughout the day helps manage your hunger and energy levels so that you will not only feel better by the time 6pm rolls around, but you also will be less inclined to eat until you’re uncomfortably full because you are so ravenous from “saving calories” all day.
It’s Okay to Say No
Listen, I love all of the holiday things. The pumpkin patch, the cookie baking, Christmas shopping—you name it. But I also know what fills up my cup and makes me feel like a human. Sometimes, that means turning down invites to events if I feel like I need to stay home, do laundry, get a workout in, or grocery shop so that I feel prepared for the upcoming week.
A good way to know what to say “no” to, and what to say “yes” to, is to outline some non-negotiables for yourself through the holiday season.
Your non-negotiables are things you won’t negotiate on. You can also think of them as boundaries. Basically, they define what you will and won’t accept from others, and also from yourself.
For example, a few of mine are:
- 7-9 hours of sleep
- 4 lifting sessions per week
- Time with my family
These are basic, but knowing these core things helps me delegate where my time and energy goes. Of course, sometimes, I’ll sacrifice my sleep to stay up for something fun like a movie with the fam, or zoo lights, but in general, getting good, quality sleep is one of the ways I feel the best.
Above All Else…
Keep going. Something that I work on with my clients is balancing life with workouts and nutrition. Remember, you don’t have to be in the gym 7 days per week to see results.
Movement and exercise should add to your life, not completely consume you.
Being consistent is more important than being “perfect” all year around. Part of staying consistent is knowing when to adjust your workout plan when life gets life-y.
