Top 5 Ways to Stay on Track During the Holidays

I love the holidays. I love the food, the music, and spending time with my family. But if there’s one thing that can make or break your fitness goals it’s how you handle all of those delicious temptations as they come your way. So here are five tips for staying on track during the holiday season:

1. Work to avoid temptations.

The people around us can have a huge impact on our behavior—how much we eat and what we eat—so if you know that certain friends of yours are going to pressure you into eating unhealthy food, don’t hang out with them! It might seem harsh, but sometimes hanging out with supportive people makes all the difference in sticking with your goals instead of giving up halfway through the holiday season because everyone else has been indulging too much already

2. Stay Hydrated

When it comes to holiday season, most of us are guilty of overeating. It’s not uncommon for people to gain up to 10 pounds during the holidays! The biggest culprit behind this weight gain is dehydration. When you’re dehydrated, your body will compensate by retaining more water and storing it in fat cells throughout your body. This can result in bloating, making you feel puffy and sluggish—not exactly the ideal holiday spirit!

Fortunately, staying hydrated helps you avoid all these pitfalls by improving digestion, quenching thirst and keeping skin soft and supple (which is especially important around this time). And with so many delicious dishes on offer—from Thanksgiving turkey dinners to Christmas cookies galore—you’ll need all the help you can get keeping track of how much food has been consumed without feeling too full or bloated afterwards.

3. Move (Even if Just a Little)

Movement is important, even if it is just a little. It can help you stay on track with your eating and drinking goals. Here are some ways to move during the holidays:

  • Take walks with family or friends.
  • Don’t be afraid to get up and dance!
  • Play active games with family or friends (snowball fights, basketball, etc.).
  • Do some light cleaning around the house (changing bed sheets, vacuuming).

4. Keep Goals Top of Mind

  • Make sure you’re constantly aware of what you want.

This is important for two reasons: First, it will help keep the holiday spirit from making your goals feel like an afterthought. Second, it will be a way for you to feel more in control of your life and less like a victim of circumstance (or family). By keeping them top-of-mind all year round, then reviewing them once per month or quarter along with other routine tasks—such as checking bank accounts and paying bills—you’ll be able to stay focused on what matters most.

5. Surround Yourself with Supportive People

No matter how motivated, committed and determined you may be to stay on track, it’s important to remember that you will face challenges. You can’t do it alone.

Surround yourself with supportive people who will help you stay on track and motivated throughout the holidays. They’ll keep you accountable for your goals, provide encouragement when necessary and lift up your spirits (even when things seem bleak).

The holidays don’t have to be the reason you stop achieving your fitness goals

You’re probably thinking, “The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy and celebration! How can I still enjoy myself if I’m worried about my fitness goals?” You don’t have to choose between enjoying the holidays and staying on track with your goals. The key is being prepared for what’s ahead—so you can keep your momentum going into the new year.

Here are some tips to get you started:

  • Make a plan. Before taking on any big tasks like shopping or traveling, set aside time to make sure your routine isn’t interrupted by holiday preparations. Also consider which activities will take up more of your time as they get closer—and when they’ll happen (i.e., Black Friday). Knowing this ahead of time can help you plan accordingly so that exercise doesn’t get pushed back or forgotten altogether.
  • Stay focused on what matters most (like health). While everyone else might be consumed with getting gifts or decorations ready, remind yourself that these things don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things—especially compared with good health and happiness! So use this time as an opportunity stay focused on achieving those goals instead of letting them fall by the wayside because other distractions got in the way (or took precedence).

We hope you found these tips helpful and that they’ll help you stay on track this holiday season. Remember, it’s not an easy time of year to maintain your fitness goals—but if you do what we’ve suggested here, we’re confident that you’ll be able to make it through without compromising too much on your progress. If you need help with staying on track, schedule a time at www.13stripesfitness.com/free-intro to learn how we can help!