Let’s face it. It can be a cumbersome challenge for all of us to focus on staying fit during the holiday months. Between the decadent foods and drinks, it can be almost impossible to say no to over-indulging at parties and gatherings.
Fortunately, I’m here to help you today with 5 great tips on how to stay fit and healthy during the holidays, while still enjoying all of the fun festivities.
How to Stay Fit and Healthy During the Holidays
Staying fit and healthy during the holiday months doesn’t have to be hard, but these five steps are definitely some things that you need to keep in mind in order to stay on track with your health and fitness goals.
Establish & Maintain a Workout Routine
Most people wait until after the New Years to start a workout routine, but why wait? Establishing a workout routine can be difficult at first, but focusing on creating a consistent schedule is crucial.
Begin by working out once or twice a week and build up to 3-4 days as you establish more of a routine. I would also recommend working out in the mornings to avoid missing a workout due to scheduled evening events. Working out will help you feel better about eating holiday dinners and will help you work off any stress that you may have.
I highly recommend Popsugar Fitness Workouts, as they offer workouts to fit every schedule and level of fitness, and you can workout in the comfort and privacy of your own home. My current workout this week is this 20 Minute 200 Calorie Blaster Workout.
Don’t Deprive Yourself
Most people get it in their head that when it comes to holiday foods it’s all or nothing. This is the wrong mentality to have and you shouldn’t deprive yourself from enjoying special holiday meals or desserts.
In avoiding eating all foods, you are setting yourself up for disappointment and it is inevitable that you will eventually cave in and end up overeating.
Instead, go ahead and allow yourself treats every now and then, that way you won’t feel deprived and you will still be able to delight in eating mom’s famous cookies.
Avoid Overindulging
Now that I’ve told you not to deprive yourself, I also want to stress the importance of not over doing it with the holiday foods and drinks.
It can be tempting to want to go back for seconds, and even thirds when you “only eat it once a year”, but overindulging will only result in you feeling lousy and regretful for overeating.
Nothing is worth getting sick over, so make sure you take it easy on the desserts and drinks to avoid feeling nauseous later. Remember, everything in moderation is key.
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is something that everyone should be mindful of year-round, but drinking plenty of fluids during the holidays can really help you keep your energy levels up.
Drinking water will also help you flush out any unwanted toxins from your body. Aim to drink at least 5 or more 8 oz. glasses of water a day to stay feeling your best.
Get Plenty of Rest
Last but certainly not least, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of getting proper sleep and rest. Most people will go to more holiday parties, dinners, and gatherings during the last two months of the year, than they do throughout the entire year, and this can be both physically and mentally exhausting.
In order to keep your spirits up and to avoid being cranky at your family dinner, get plenty of sleep and try to schedule periods of downtime as well. I recommend getting at least 6-8 hours a night, or more if possible.
Here’s to wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season, and I hope that these tips will help you enjoy this time of year, while successfully staying on track with your fitness goals.
Thanks for stopping by! -Cara
Linking up with Tuesday Talk, Let’s Be Friends Blog Hop, Tutorials & Tips, and Countdown to Christmas
I love this list! The holidays are seriously the hardest time of the year to stay healthy & fit, so thank you for the motivation! 🙂
Thank-you! Thanks for stopping by!
Oh Lord, I definitely needed to see this today ha! I’ve just been eating, eating, eating lately and it’s been raining nonstop so no exercise has been happening! Thank goodness I at least have the drinking water part down 😉
I just finished baking up cookies/fudge/candy with my mom to give to a bunch of family, and it was so tempting not to just eat it all-haha. I was good though and refrained 😉
These are great tips! I have been trying so hard to stay hydrated lately…it is something that I need to focus on health-wise! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks! It’s amazing how much more energized you feel when you stay hydrated.
Staying hydrated is so important for me. Also I try to eat a small healthy meal like a salad before going anywhere so I am already full and it helps not to overindulge too much.
That’s really smart! It’s probably a lot more difficult to over indulge when you do that.
Awesome tips, Cara! I find that all of these work. I especially love the one about balance. So true!
Sarah
http://mybowsandclothes.blogspot.com
Thanks! Balance is key in everything.
Sleep for me is so key! It helps me ward of cravings and just feel happier all around! Love it.
Great post boo!
xx
Krista
Me too! I’m so cranky if I don’t get enough sleep-haha. Thanks for stopping by!
I LOVE pop sugar fitness workouts! I always do them when I don’t go to the gym or if I’m on vacation.
Me too! Fitness Blender is another good channel as well.
Wonderful post! I walk 3 miles everyday with my little one in the stroller, then yoga. My fave you tuber workout is Ballet beautiful and on Xbox one yoga inferno. Drinking lots of water is my main issue. I forget to. It is all about balance, especially when I keep making Christmas cookies
That’s awesome Stephanie! I’ve never really tried yoga but I always hear that it is so relaxing and helps with stress. I’ll have to check those workouts out!
Avoiding overindulging will be my biggest challenge! all the food is so tempting!
I know it can be really hard when all the food looks so good, but I try to mentally remind myself of my fitness goals and try not to overdo. My weakness is definitely the dessert arena, but again everything in moderation. Thanks for stopping by!
These are great tips! I definitely have an all or nothing mentality sometimes, but I’m trying to work on it!
Thanks! I used to be the same way in that I would try to completely cut something out of my diet, but I always ended up caving in. I learned instead to focus on moderation, which has helped tremendously.
Loved your 5 quick tips. Thanks for the heads up about the Popsugar fitness workouts. Great graphics. 🙂
Thank-you! They are great and the instructor is so positive and motivating.Thanks for stopping by!
Awesome list! I’m all about the balance as I will definitely be reaching for the sweets at parties. And I also try to maintain my workout routine, squeezing in lunch time workouts is the best way 🙂
Green Fashionista
Thanks! Maintaining a workout routine is key in staying healthy and fit. Lunch time workouts is a great idea 🙂
Yes, it is all about balance!!! I am trying to be really good now so that next week I can have all my favorites 🙂
Haha, me too! Looking forward to eating some cookies and fudge (which I don’t eat most of the year).
So true. I always make a variety of foods around the holidays. From sweets to super healthy foods to balance it all out. It can just be toxic:(
That’s great, Megan! It can be hard when literally everything on the table is unhealthy, so I try to load up my plate with lots of veggies and lean protein if I know I’m going to be having dessert. Thanks for stopping by!
All awesome tips! As someone who used to be 90 pounds heavier due to bad eating habits the holidays are always a hard time to navigate. However, I have been following these exact tips for the last few years and I have come out of the holidays unscathed! Yes, there may be a small weight gain but nothing that one can’t handle. Great post!
Thank-you and that is so wonderful! Thanks for sharing your success story, and keep up the good work 🙂
I love these, this kind of common sense approach is what keeps me going through the holiday season too!
Thanks! It definitely helps to keep me on track as well.
because of a medical condition I have been forced to do much of what you share starting this past Sept– having some good results down 28lbs -Over Thanksgiving I thought for sure I’d spiral down -my biggest thing was to just have a bite of pie and make sure my veggies fulled me etc and WATER WATER WATER & KEEP MOVING -down another 2lbs Holiday Miracle
That’s great! Keep up the good work 🙂
Thanks for the tips! Staying healthy over the holidays is always a struggle! I definitely needed this reminder! 🙂
Going back for seconds has always been a struggle for me when it comes to dessert-haha, so I definitely have to stay mindful. Thanks for stopping by!
OMG Cara, I totally needed this right now! I struggle so much around the holidays to maintain a healthy balance. The overindulging is definitely one area I could use some work on! Thanks for the healthy reminder, loved this! Hope you are having a great week so far gorgeous gal! XO -Kim
You’re so welcome! & thank-you, hope you’re having a wonderful week yourself pretty lady! 🙂
Great post! I’m struggling right now! Every day my office gets more and more treats from clients that are so tempting. I’m attempting to just indulge on things I REALLY want. I’m happy to find your blog through seeing your comment on Lindsay’s post!
Thanks! It is very hard. One of our suppliers just brought a big thing of cookies to our office a couple of days ago, so I can relate. Glad you stopped by 🙂
Great tips! My number one challenge is to not over indulge! Sugar is my weakness, but it’s also a goal of mine to stay away from it as much as possible this month!
Shannon
Clothes & Quotes
Thanks, Shannon! I think it’s important to remember moderation is key. It’s very hard to deprive yourself completely of something, so I try to go ahead and eat something sweet every now and then, that way I enjoy it that much more. Thanks for stopping by!
Great, great posts, lady! Keeping a workout routine is CRUCIAL this time of year as is not over indulging. having a treat or two is great, but thirds and fourths just make you feel yucky!
Thanks for linking up.
Thank-you! It is so much easier once you get a consistent workout schedule going. Thanks for letting me 🙂
What a great idea for a post!! We need to feel good and stay fit and hydrated to enjoy this magical season!! Happy Tuesday sweetie pie!!
Thank-you! Happy Tuesday!