Stay Fit and Healthy During the Holiday Season: Tips for Maintaining A Fitness Routine

In the spirit of the upcoming holiday season, let's chat about staying active while enjoying the festivities.

We are fast approaching the holiday season, for many of us that means family gatherings, lots of delicious foods, maybe some time off work, or even a holiday away.

December and January can prove to be a busy time for most, it can be easy to let your fitness routine slip. But what if I told you it doesn't have to be that way? There are many ways to help you stay active during the holiday season. Let's talk about some practical tips and tricks that you can incorporate into your schedule:

Schedule In Your Workouts: Take some time to look at your calendar for the next month and see what events, appointments and other life priorities you have scheduled. Try to find a bit of time to prioritise some exercise. It could be a morning run, an evening fitness class, or a lunchtime gym session. Find what works for you and block it out like an appointment. Finding time to prioritise yourself and your health is so important.
Opt For Shorter Workouts: You don't need to feel like you have to fit in a long workout for it to be beneficial. If you are short on time, opt for a shorter session, even just 20-30 minutes can be incredibly effective if you optimise your time. Consider supersetting your exercises, or opting for a HIIT session for something a little different that is super time efficient.
Set Realistic Holiday Goals: The holiday season probably isn't the best time to start setting yourself huge fitness goals if you know your schedule will be hectic. Instead, consider shifting your goals to maintaining a consistent gym routine that works with your busy holiday schedule. It is totally fine if your exercise routine looks a little bit different during this time of year, every bit of movement you can fit in counts.
Consider Home Workouts: If you feel like you don't have time to head to the gym and get a workout in, consider opting for a home workout. You do a great workout at home with very minimal equipment. This can help you cut down on driving time to the gym when you feel super short on time.
Don't Forget About Your Nutrition: Always remember that nutrition plays a vital role in your health and fitness, this doesn't change just because we are approaching the holiday season. Enjoy the festive foods that come with this time of year, but be mindful of portion sizes and choose healthier options where available. If you are enjoying a family feast, try to fill your plate up with nutrient-dense foods first, think vegetables and lean protein, and then leave a little room for the fun stuff.

The holiday season doesn't have to feel like a step backward in your health and fitness journey. Your routine may look a little different at this time of the year, but you can still make it work with some pre-planning. Your goal for the next month may be about finding balance throughout the festive season, which may include enjoying some extra treats here and there but still prioritising good nutrition and finding time to move your body.