Stay Fit Through The Holidays

Stay Fit Through The Holidays

By Mark Warrington

The holidays are just around the corner. This is the most joyous time of the year. Everybody's looking forward to it. The holidays give us a chance to see old friends and family. And of course, when people gather, food and drinks aren't far behind. People gain a lot of weight during the holidays. The combination of food and drinks and your busy schedule are the two main reasons for this. That's why everyone's new year's resolution is to lose weight. We can, however, avoid weight gain during the holidays. A little self restraint and a little discipline will go a long way towards achieving this goal.

Before you set your goals, make sure that they are realistic. The holidays are bound to be busy. There will be lots of food to tempt your palate, so set your goals around these expectations. If your goals include setting time for a 3 hour gym workout, you might get disappointed. If you resolve not to drink any alcoholic beverage during the holidays, that would be wishful thinking too. The holidays won't be the same without food and drinks. The point here is to simply make your goals achievable. If you expect to be busy partying, try walking for 30 minutes in the morning. Just do something active. Recruit a friend who is also after the same goals, and encourage each other to exercise and eat right.

High caloric food and drinks are plenty during the holidays, so don't skip meals. It's a sure bet that you're going to eat a lot if you're going to a party on an empty stomach. Make an effort to eat something healthy and low-calorie before partying. Drink lots of water to help suppress your appetite, because sometimes what you perceive as hunger is actually thirst. Make it a habit to always bring a bottle of water with you. Depriving yourself of party foods can backfire, so allow yourself to eat rich foods but in moderate amounts.

Taking the time to exercise during the holidays can really help you maintain your weight more than you think. Make working out a priority even if it's just for a few minutes a day. If possible, include strength training in your routine. If time is tight, just go for the basics. This will help to maintain your muscle tone. Going back to your regular routine will also be easier.

You need not sacrifice staying fit during the holidays. It's all a matter of eating and drinking in moderation. Staying active will keep you in good shape. Enjoy the holidays but enjoy it responsibly. You won't regret it when the new year comes around.

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