How to keep your workouts going over the holidays

Dec 21, 2010 11:00 AM by Tiernan McKay

Posted in Parenting / Parenting Tips & Advice / Mom & Dad

Stay Fit This Season

This time of year, it seems people are either indulging and gearing up for a healthy New Year's resolution or trying to maintain their holiday workouts throughout the season. Maintaining holiday workouts is more difficult, so if you've committed to staying fit in the face of endless treats, how do you make it happen?

Woman exercising with dumbbells

It may seem impossible to stay on track with your holiday workouts when you're surrounded by festive buffets full of rich sauces, sweets and beverages, but you can do it! If you're ready to put in the effort, following are some tips to help you reach your goals.

Workout gear that works

Whether it's body image issues, laziness or simply ease, we sometimes reach for an over-sized pair of sweats and an old t-shirt on the way to the gym. "While these clothes might feel comfy, they don't motivate you to get out and work up a sweat," says Renee Mclaughlin, a health coach, nutritionist and Atlanta-based trainer. "Instead, put on your most flattering workout clothes and strut your stuff."

Try Fila's Toning Resistance Pant. They will shape and smooth your body and provide additional resistance to help you get the most out of your holiday workout. You'll want to wear them everywhere, not just to the gym.

Maca candy bar

Resist temptation

While it is possible to keep your workout going through the holidays, it's much harder to avoid the unhealthy food options that seem to be everywhere. Make a conscious decision to put something in your mouth rather than eating mindlessly. "When eating, go for quality and not quantity," says Ann A. Rosenstein, a certified fitness professional and author with over 20 years of experience. "Don't just eat a treat because it is available. Take the time to be picky and assess if it is a treat worth savoring."

Control your holiday cravings with a few nibbles of MacaSure Chocolat. It combines 70% cocoa and dark chocolate with organic maca, a Peruvian root known for balancing hormones, decreasing stress, improving energy and increasing libido.

Feel the burn

We all have a favorite type of exercise that we gravitate towards, whether it be running, swimming, yoga or cross-training. Stick with what you love, but up the core workouts during the holidays. "The core muscles that attach to your spine use glucose at rest," says Mclaughlin. "You want to increase the density of those muscles so you can eat a little of those higher carb foods during the season without gaining in the middle."

Mclaughlin suggests putting your feet under hips, toes straight. Bend your knees and tuck your tush under. Lift your ribs up and roll your chest forward. Make sure your shoulder, hips and knees are in alignment. Feel how this engages all your core muscles. You can use this posture all day to charge up fat-burning! Bend it, tuck it lift it!

Family affair

Being around family members who do not share your commitment to health can thwart a solid workout plan. Rather than ask them to make room for you on the couch, Rosenstein suggests "planning some family holiday activities like ice skating, sledding or cross-country skiing. Instead of driving to view neighborhood holiday displays, dress appropriately and walk through the neighborhood."

>>Tip: If you can't avoid sedentary family activities, make sure there are healthy snacks, like raw almonds, within reach.

Comments

Comments on "How to keep your workouts going over the holidays"

The holidays are here and so are the goodies! Cookies, fudge, cake, eggnog, sauces, spreads; the list is endless. How are we going to make it through the holidays without gaining a bunch of weight? The good news is most people don't gain that much, just an average of a few pounds. However, statistics say once we gain that "holiday weight" we don't lose it. After 25 years of gaining even one pound, we find ourselves 25 lbs heavier. Here is a list of just a few things we can do to keep our holiday season festive and healthy. Plan some holiday activities. Instead of planning meals every time people get together, plan an activity such as ice skating, sledding, cross country skiing or in warmer climates, swimming, biking or hiking. . Instead of driving to view neighborhood holiday displays, dress appropriately and walk through the neighborhood. Even if you plan an activity that involves sitting, such as cards, high calorie snacks and drinks are not necessary. When eating, go for quality and not quantity. Don't just eat a treat because it is available. Take the time to be picky and assess if it is a treat worth savoring. For example, I really like dark chocolate fudge but I can do without sugar cookies. Put holiday eating in perspective. Let's say we end up indulging and doing what I said not to do anyway. It happens, relax; it isn't the end of the world. One overly large and indulgent meal is not a catastrophe. Overall consistency throughout the year is more important than one day of decadent indulgence. Cut time spent in the kitchen. How many holiday treats do we really need to make? Also, how many treats do we really need to accept? I know people who make and receive literally hundreds of cookies, candies and treats during the holidays. Who's going to eat it all? How about donating some of those treats to local food shelves or nursing homes? Reduce the overall number of treats made and encourage friends and family to engage in other activities. Keep your workouts regular and consistent by making them a priority. Don't expect to over indulge in food and then redeem yourself by over doing one or two workouts to make up for it. That will just set you up for injury and disappointment. Workout attire has a specific purpose. You are paying for comfort, motivation, fit, performance and durability. Comfort is important for you to perform your best and to be able to move as needed for your workout. Proper fit and feel along with the looks of your apparel can definitely be a motivator. When you wear something you really like that fits well, you are simply inspired to get to the gym, workout, and do more.