While you are rushing around to make sure that the holidays are special for your people, don’t forget to take care of yourself.
Here are some tips:
1 – My #1 tip is to stay as active as possible. Do what you can to keep up with your regular workout routine. Keep your workout routine expectations realistic and congratulate yourself on doing anything at all! With travel, house guests, and busy schedules, if you fit any kind of movement into your life, you are doing great.
Speaking of busy schedules: try to get your workout done first thing in the morning. That helps ensure that exercise gets checked off your list before other demands come up throughout the day. This makes you feel productive and it eases stress, which really helps if your holiday obligations tend to be a little crazy.
BUT – if it’s not possible, here are some other suggestions. Can you do a shorter version of your regular workout routine? Can you work out on fewer days, but do your usual routine? Can you try out a gym or class if you’re in a different city? Can you take a long walk or jog? Can you use the hotel gym?
If you’re going for shorter time in your workout, try a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) routine. Pick five moves like jump squats, mountain climbers, pushups, lunges, and bicycles. Do each exercise for 45 seconds and then rest for 15 seconds. Do this for three sets.
Another great option is the 7-Minute Workout!
If you’re traveling, packing resistance bands is an easy way to keep effective workout equipment with you. Try some of the exercises on the ACE fitness site HERE. Here is a link to some inexpensive resistance bands!
2 – The holidays are a time to enjoy special food and drinks. Instead of feeling guilty about all the goodies, just enjoy them! But slow down and savor every bite and sip instead of plowing through everything in your path. If it makes you feel better, write down all the healthy habits and routines you will return to when the holidays are behind you. But try to keep your mindset one of taking care of your body and getting back on track, not on punishing yourself for enjoying the holidays.
3 – Speaking of food and drinks — instead of trying to take things away, how about adding to your eating plan instead? For example: drink 7-9 cups of water, eat one salad per day, eat two pieces of fruit, eat protein at every meal, etc. Think about your regular eating plan and what makes your body feel best. What can you include in your daily eating plan, even while indulging in extra treats or drinks?
If you want a proven, easy, supportive, healthy and fun plan to try, consider joining the next round of Faster Way to Fat Loss! Check out more info HERE.
4 – If you are trying intermittent fasting (I’m a big fan), keep up with your regular fasting routine. Even if your eating window is longer than normal, try to fast for 12 – 13 hours each day. If you want to read a great guide to getting started with intermittent fasting, read one of Gin Stephens’ books:
*Delay, Don’t Deny: Living an Intermittent Fasting Lifestyle
*Feast Without Fear: Food and the Delay, Don’t Deny Lifestyle
*Delay, Don’t Deny Digging Deeper: Advancing Your Intermittent Fasting Lifestyle
5 – Let go of expectations of everything being perfect. It won’t be and you know it! But that doesn’t mean it can’t be great. Just relax and enjoy what is good about the holidays. Find the good in every person and in every event. Be grateful for the small moments of joy, of peace and quiet, of excitement.
6 – Spend some time alone every day. Get up earlier than everyone else and sip your coffee alone. Take a walk by yourself. Step into another room and breathe deeply. Recharge your batteries by being alone with yourself for a few minutes daily.
7 – Do everything you can to get enough sleep. Even if you have to slip away during the day to take a brief nap, get the rest that you need.
8 – Drink that water! Staying hydrated makes a huge difference in how you feel.
9 – Say no to what stresses you out or upsets you. It’s okay to say no. It’s okay to tell someone that you just can’t do what they are requesting of you right now. It’s okay to go to bed early. It’s okay to walk away from a conversation that you do not want to have right now.
10 – On the flip side, do more of what makes you feel happy or feel at peace. Is it sitting and looking at the Christmas tree lights or at flickering candles? Is it being surrounded by people you love? Is it cooking or baking? Is it taking a walk or drive and looking at the lights? Whatever brings you joy — do more of it!
Take care of yourself and have a joyful Christmas!