The holiday season is upon us. The weather is turning crisp, the leaves are falling, decorations are springing up in stores, and invitations for parties and get-togethers are rolling in. We'll get to spend more time with our family and friends, go shopping, plan surprises, give gifts, attend parties, play games - there's so much to look forward to!!
And yet....
We'll have more time away from work, but somehow seem even busier than when we are working. We will stress out about juggling so many extra curricular activities, spending extra money and fighting crowds of people wherever we go. Our nice and predictable daily routine dissapears and we feel lost and frazzled and stressed to the gills. We'll spend our days planning parties, preparing for company, running errands, catching up with friends, cleaning house, traveling, buying, wrapping, cooking and then the day is over and we didn't make it to the gym, didn't eat the healthy meals we had prepped and didn't spend one single minute taking care of our own well-being.
Sound about right?
Here are some easy tips to help you do all the fun things AND continue to take care of yourself during the busiest months of the year.
- Remind yourself of your "WHY". WHY is your health/fitness important to you? WHY do you do it? Write your WHY down on post-it notes and stick them in places that you'll see throughout the day: your coffee maker, the dash of your car, the screen saver of your phone, your bathroom mirror, the fridge/cabinets. Your WHY is unique to you; there's no right or wrong. Own it. Write it. Live it.
- Be flexible. We thrive on routine and during the holidays, that routine is typically non-existant. You may not be able to go to the gym at your normal time. Your lunch may be on-the-go instead of in the breakroom. Instead of getting frustrated or using this as an excuse to not exercise or eat fast food, use it as an opportunity to experience something different. Going to the gym at a different time will allow you to meet some new people or a new coach. Eating on the go gives you an opportunity to practice mindful choices and have something different.
- Get a buddy. We do so much better when we are in it with someone else. It's the double layer of support and accountability. We feel accountable to our buddy AND we get to support another person, which helps them and us! Work out together, tell each other what your meal plan is for the day and check in that evening.
- Adjust your expectations. Give yourself some grace during the holidays. Don't show up each day at the gym expecting to kill a workout or get a PR. Just workout, giving the effort that you're capable of that day. Maintaining a regular gym schedule is your win through the holiday. The same goes for your nutrition. Don't set an expectation of fat loss. Stay healthy, maintain your weight without gaining and you've won the season.
- Reward yourself! Each week that you made it to the gym and made good nutrition choices, give yourself a present. Maybe it's a Sunday afternoon nap. Maybe it's a pedicure or a new pair of jeans. You pick! It's your gift to yourself.
No matter what happens during the holiday season, learn from it. Life is all about making choices and learning from them. Sometimes we regret the choices we made and sometimes we nail it. Both scenarios are necessary for growth in becoming the best version of yourself.
Want to surround yourself with support and encouragment? Don't wait until January! Contact us and let us help.
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