Holiday Fitness Survival Guideby Will Praht
Well the holidays are here and to no surprise so are all the extremely tempting food treasures we don’t see but once a year. Every year, no matter how good your intentions are the average person will gain a minimum of 3-7 pounds during the Holiday season.
So much food, so little time is the often times repeated mantra during the holidays.
Instead of thinking “If I don’t enjoy these wonderful Holiday treats now I will have to wait another year”, let’s try to be conservative in our approach to the holiday feasts and in turn save ourselves from the dreaded New Years resolution of shedding our new holiday baggage.
How can you achieve what seems to be in your eyes a monumental task? Let’s try to get some perspective and use a Holiday guideline to give us the strength and resolve to get through the holidays healthier and happier about ourselves.
Stay focused and lets get cracking.
►Don’t Slow Down. With the holidays upon us, our time is even more in demand than ever. Don’t give in to the inevitable justification of “oh I’ve been doing so good I can skip a work out or two” or the ‘I’ll skip todays workout but I’ll work twice as hard tomorrow”, Everyone knows workouts can never really be made up, and what makes you think you will have the time tomorrow to double up your work when your already spread to thin. Simple solution, don’t give up your workout time. If you don’t have time for the gym do a make shift workout at home or go for a quick walk or run. Do something, but don’t stop.
►Don’t Forget Your Goals and Your Previous Success. Don’t allow yourself to justify the holiday season as a special event that supersedes your goals of a slimmer you. Fight the grazing urge that is prevalent with all the assessable snacks seemingly everywhere you look at work, home and holiday gatherings. Be conscious of your decision making process and limit your indulgence.
►Get Control. When the opportunity arises choose to host the party. This way instead of all the traditional unhealthy finger foods you can put a healthy yet twist on your gathering with tasty healthy alternatives such as those found here and many other healthy eating Internet sites. Another opportunity to get control is to volunteer to make the arrangements for special social events normally booked at some of the local eating establishments. By taking control and choosing the site for your gathering you can assure there will be something on the menu that stays in line with your goals. Make sure the restaurant of choice has a wide variety available for those who don’t have the resolve you do, this way everyone is happy.
►Think Ahead. Okay so you can’t get control of every situation and there are going to be some gatherings you have to go to. For these situations take control by eating a small healthy snack beforehand, so you won’t be as tempted or as likely to give in because of hunger pangs.
►Enlist Your Friends for Support. Letting as many people know of your goals will empower you to accomplish them. There is a good feeling of satisfaction to know others see you are strong enough to stick to your plans and achieve your goals. As you share you may find another with similar goals and it is a whole lot easier to resist with company in your endeavors. Team up and help each other through those tough gatherings. It is a party so go ahead and enjoy but do not over indulge. Moderation within the guidelines of your goals gives you the pleasure of enjoying the atmosphere and still enjoying the crowd in their celebration.
►Watch the Hooch. Alcohol may look innocent enough but it packs a fairly good caloric punch, plus brings down your ability to resist temptation, while rising your ability to justify “cheating just a little bit”. Remember your goals and stay in control of all the elements.
►Stand and be Counted. Your goals as they relate to you and your body should be one. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself and just say no to an overzealous partier if you have to. Always try to explain and be nice about your choice but if they aren’t going to respect those choices, stand up for yourself. Your goals where set to reach targets you’ve set for yourself to accomplish and feel better about yourself, don’t lose sight of the final goal.Good luck and have a healthy, happy holiday season
