The holiday season is the ultimate test of our discipline because it is tough to say no to all the drinks and food. You tell yourself that you only get this moment once a year, and it's okay to indulge in guilty pleasures. But it is possible to enjoy the holiday season to its fullest without gaining weight or losing fitness.
There is so much to do during the holiday season, whether family gatherings or office parties. And sometimes these events take a toll on your fitness because you get caught in the festivities, your exercise routines suffer, your diet is in shambles, and you are on the verge of losing your weight and fitness gains.
Skipping the gym to spend time with your family baking and watching some Christmas TV classics is worth it. But there are different ways to navigate this holiday season without making compromises.
Here are the top five tips you need to keep your weight and fitness in check.
1. Make a plan
Planning may be your best bet when it comes to surviving the holiday season. It makes perfect sense, especially if you start a few months before the holidays. People on a weight and fitness journey tend to struggle because they can't handle the distractions they are subject to during the holidays, but a plan will keep you prepared. Once you create a modified schedule for the holiday season, you will be able to navigate the land mines that come in the form of delicious meals, drinks, and less exercise. Figure out whether you want to do more of your workout at home or you want to stick to the gym. Also, make arrangements to help you stick to your diet (if you are on a weight loss diet). Plan for how much you want to indulge, and know your limits.
2. Stick to your routines
Regardless of what activities you have planned out for the day or week, ensure you get a good workout at the gym before going out with your loved ones. The thought of having to go harder in the gym the next day might prevent you from overindulging.
3. Control your portions
You are at the family dinner and having a great time with lots of laughs and catching up. Know what you are eating and have a mental calculation of what each food contains. You will need to walk away from some and have just a little bit of others. Portion control is more effective than beating it out in the gym in the morning. Enjoy those little bites and nothing more!
4. Drink responsibly
Consuming a little bit of alcohol won't hurt that much, and that is why you need to keep it a few glasses. You can have a lot of fun at your office Christmas party without getting wasted. You have the opportunity to burn some calories if you get on the dance floor and sweat it out. Alcohol consumption can harm your fitness in many ways, such as being unable to exercise the following morning because of a nasty hangover, or worse, getting injured while being drunk.
5. Drink lots of water
Drinking lots of water is an easy trick to eating less at parties. If you think you will overeat at that party, you should drink water. That way, you will not spike your calories, and you will also have an increased rate of metabolism.
