Staying on track with our health goals during the festive season can sometimes feel impossible. So much to do, so many people to cater for. Kiddies on school holidays, family visiting, going out to eat, and traveling. This can cause us to fall out of routine and into survival mode. If this is you, I want you to know, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there but it doesn’t have to be that way. it’s not only possible to maintain your health during this season, it’s actually quite easy to stay on track if you’re willing to make a little commitment to yourself. Don’t know where to start? I’ve got you covered. See my recommendations below.
Keeping up with your exercise routine and nutrition should be at the top of your priority list and I’m going to tell you why. “”Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands.” Thanks, Elle from Legally Blonde 😉 Seriously, though, Exercise actually makes you happy. That should be reason enough to stick to your fitness routine. As far a nutrition goes, food is medicine, or it is poison. You choose. I’m not here to lecture you because you probably already know what I’m going to tell you. your body is a temple, treat it as such.
This season is certain to bring us joy, love, togetherness, and comfort, but for many, it also brings stress, overwhelm, dysfunctional family dynamics, too many seasonal treats, late nights, and lack of sleep. The list can go on, but the end result of all of this is that your body suffers when you don’t look after it. simple, right?! I already said I’m not going to lecture you or tell you to skip the delicious holiday meal if it brings you joy, or try to convince you why you should skip your extra cocktail or wine, but I am going to tell you, no matter what, make time for movement and don’t skimp on the healthy foods. Now is not the time to flush all your hard work down the toilet.
There is no reason to go crazy and use the holiday season as an excuse to overindulge.
Here are my recommendations for you to maintain a healthy body & mind, over the holidays.
- Set daily intentions. Every morning take a few minutes to imagine how you want your day to go. What do you want to accomplish? Who do you want to serve? How do you want to serve? How do you want to feel? Extra credit for writing them down.
- Example: I intend to go with the flow, enjoy the unexpected and to find beauty in everything. I intend to serve my family and bring joy to their day. I intend to practice generosity and compassion.
- Schedule your exercise. Just like you schedule and important meeting or appointment, schedule your exercise. Aim to move your body every single day. It doesn’t need to be extreme exercise like HIIT or Crossfit, but movement is life, so stay alive!
- Try to get your exercise done early in the day. Once it’s done, you’re all set to tackle anything that gets thrown at you. you’re also less tempted to put it off until “tomorrow.”
- I will always recommend Reformer Pilates because it’s my go-to exercise modality. It’s what calms me, centers me and brings me back to my body when I’m stuck in my head. It also gives me energy, strength and flexibility. Everything I need to get through my day. If you don’t already practice Pilates, now is a perfect time to give it a try.
- Get outside and enjoy nature. Walking is exercise and it’s free. If you live in the northern hemisphere, layer up, grab a nice hot coffee, tea or hot chocolate and get your buns outside. Take some nice deep breathes and get walking. If you’re in the southern hemisphere, like me, there is no excuse. Haha. Go now!
- Decide in advance when you will have a “Flex” day. For example, Christmas day I KNOW I’m going to eat things I don’t normally eat. Leading up to Christmas, I will make sure I am fueling my body with lots of greens, protein and fats, because I am carb cycling, I will likely lower my carb intake a few days before so I can feel good about having extra carbs on Christmas day. I may decide that on Christmas eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, I will allow myself the flexibility to enjoy some bubbles or a drink. The rest of the days, I am following my normal routine. I will supplement with extra milk thistle to help support my liver, take charcoal before bed, add extra probiotics and digestive enzymes to help my gut, etc. You get the picture.
- Show yourself some self-love. If you’re not following along with my Countdown to Christmas Self-care challenge, go check it out on IG. I have 25 days worth of simple self-care practices you can put into place right now. @flexpilates_sa
Basically, what I am saying is, it is best to be prepared (kind of like, expect the best but prepare for the worst)
Having a plan in place will help you stay focused on your goals but will also give you flexibility so you can enjoy the festive season without stressing about having to “start over” with your diet or exercise. It doesn’t have to be an all or nothing approach, there is no need to make it rigid but don’t wing it either. I personally use a physical planner because I’m a nerd and like to see things written down so I can then check those things off my list, but I also use my iPhone calendar so I can set “appointments” and reminders. This allows me the freedom from having to think about what I need to do and when I need to do it.
It doesn’t have to be hard. It’s a choice you make for yourself. Think about it this way, if your vet prescribed your dog or cat with daily exercise, healthy food, sunlight and play, you’d make sure your dog got all those things. Why would you do anything less for yourself?
Happy festive season of staying on track with your health & fitness !
Xx
