With the holiday season comes a tendency to ditch your fitness plan, putting it off until New Year’s. With all those sweaters and scarves, who's going to notice your figure anyway, right? Yet, being healthy is not solely about how you look but how you feel. What if we told you there’s a way to be healthy and enjoy your food during the holidays? No, it’s not some magic spell that makes spinach taste like ice cream, but if we find that, you’ll be the first to know. Actually, there are a few practical tips to stay healthy this holiday season, all while maintaining a jolly mood.
1. Stay in a consistent routine
Staying consistent is an important part of fitness any time of the year, but it’s crucial around the holidays. Irene Anderson, founder of Method78 Fitness, urges people to get into a workout and healthy eating routine before the holiday busyness. Once the parties, with all their tempting sweets, begin, it will be harder to start a fitness plan.
Irene also advises keeping this routine during the holiday season. People often think this season is an excuse to have a daily treat. However, this defeats the whole purpose of a fitness routine. By saving your treats for the actual day of the holiday, such as Thanksgiving or Christmas, you’ll feel less regret when it comes to your diet.
2. Take a walk after meals
After large meals, take a walk that’s a minimum of 10 minutes. This is helpful for a number of reasons. It gives your brain time to catch up with your stomach, letting you know that you’re full before going back for seconds or dessert. It also lowers your blood sugar, improving digestion. Taking a walk is a nice activity for the whole family, giving you a break from a stuffy room or awkward conversation.
3. Abstain from leftovers, especially the desserts
This one is going to make people angry at us, but we’re only here to help. Holiday leftovers feel like a birthright for most people, but they can get you into trouble when it comes to weight gain. Irene says if you want to make a turkey and vegetable soup or sandwich, that’s perfect, but watch out when it comes to that pie or cake.
