The holiday season is a time for celebration, connection, and joy.
However, it can also be a challenging period for maintaining our personal health and fitness goals.
As our schedules fill up with festivities, it’s easy to let our routines slip, leading to feelings of frustration and stress.
Here to help you navigate how to stay consistent during this busy time and avoid common pitfalls and the negative effects of them:
The Hidden Costs of Falling Off Track
Increased Stress Levels: When we neglect our wellness routines, it can lead to heightened levels of stress and anxiety.
The combination of holiday chaos and missed workouts creates a perfect storm for feeling overwhelmed.
Loss of Progress: Skipping workouts paired with indulging in unhealthy eating can result in losing the progress you’ve made. The sense of accomplishment from your hard work can feel diminished, leading to discouragement and falling off completely.
Difficulty Re-establishing Routines: Once you fall off your fitness path, getting back on track can be daunting. The longer you wait, the harder it may become to re-establish those healthy habits.
Negative Self-Talk: During the holidays, it’s easy to slip into negative self-talk. If you’re not meeting your goals, you might find yourself feeling guilty or unworthy, which only compounds the issue.
Physical Discomfort: Overindulgence in holiday treats can lead to feelings of lethargy and discomfort, making it harder to engage in activities you enjoy.
Phew, that’s a lot. How do we combat those?
Strategies to Stay on Track
Staying consistent during the holidays doesn’t have to be an uphill battle. Here are a few simple strategies to help you maintain your routine:
Schedule/Plan Your Workouts: Treat your fitness sessions like important appointments.
Block out time on your calendar for personal training or group classes, and prioritize these sessions just as you would any holiday gathering.
If you need to plan to come more one week to offset travel or a busier schedule of another week, do so. Be forward thinking and hold your appointments.
Set Realistic Goals: Instead of aiming for perfection, set achievable goals that allow for flexibility.
Looking at your schedule over the next 4 weeks – if 12 sessions isn’t realistic is 10? Is 9? Map your days and times and be adaptable. Again it’s not about perfection as much as it is consistency, momentum and rhythm.
Outside the gym perhaps commit to more active family gatherings, like a post-dinner walk or a holiday-themed fitness class.
Practice Mindful Eating: Enjoy the festive meals and experience AND practice mindful eating and moderation.
One meal isn’t a permission slip to go completely off the rails for days or the month.
Focus on savoring your favorite treats without overindulgence.
Staying mindful about what you eat can help you maintain balance and avoid the holiday slump.
A Call to Action
This holiday season, let’s commit to prioritizing our health and well-being while still enjoying the festivities.
Get an accountability buddy – whether a training partner or ask for more accountability from your Coach.
The bravest thing you can do is ask for help.
Share your goals and help each other in staying consistent.
Small steps can lead to significant progress.
Balance out celebrating and staying on track.
