DEC/JAN 2013
STAY FIT FOR THE HOLIDAYS
By Bart Rosser
December is a time to break out the party clothes and have fun for the holidays. But don't neglect your exercise routine, and make sure you watch your diet. Here are some helpful tips to get you through to the New Year.
Stay active: One of the major causes of weight gain during the holidays is lack of activity. Time is spent doing holiday errands, which makes us more tired, less motivated, and not wanting to stick to our routine. Best thing to do: stick to your regular schedule! Not only will it help keep weight gain down, it will give you more energy and it will reduce your stress which are both needed to battle the long lines and parking squabbles. Better yet, if you can up your activity, even better! Try walking a few extra laps around the mall. Or an extra 20 minutes on that treadmill.
Take time for you: It goes without saying that this season is all about stress! Between trying to shop, attending all your holiday parties and dealing with day-to-day stressors, it is important that you take some time for yourself. Get a gym membership, schedule a personal training session, buy a new book, learn to meditate, whatever. Find something that will curb your stress that is not eating! This is the EASIEST time to turn to food for comfort. Give yourself another method to deal with stress; you more than deserve it!
Give (or ask for) the gift of health: Gym memberships, exercise equipment, athletic apparel or shoes, gift certificates to a spa or personal trainer, tanning, etc. There are many "health" related gifts that you can give or ask for that would help someone you love or yourself stay healthy all year long. It will give a great jump-start to those New Year's Resolutions that we normally give up by February. Make a commitment to your body and teach others to do the same.
Plan all your workouts in advance: You know your schedule is going to get hectic over the holidays. You’ll be cooking, shopping, attending the haphazard routine of the family, going to parties, traveling, visiting friends, and so on. To stay on your training and nutrition regimen is definitely going to take some sound time management skills.
Plan your schedule in advance. Anticipate what’s coming up. Write it down. Put it on your calendar. By doing so, you won’t be caught unprepared.
Use a schedule book or monthly calendar and “make appointments” for ALL your workouts over the next six weeks. Then, paste a copy where you will be forced to look at it every day. This is a powerful motivator that will keep you focused and force you to think about and prepare for each upcoming workout.
You CAN and should enjoy the holidays. You CAN enjoy being with family and going out with friends. You CAN go to holiday parties and have fun. You CAN enjoy a few “naughty” meals. There is no reason why you can’t enjoy yourself AND stay healthy, lean, and fit through the holidays. All it takes is some planning, goal setting, and a little dose of old fashioned discipline.
Stay tuned for next months editorial on health and fitness
