How can you possibly stay healthy during a time of year when there’s cookies in the break room, the kitchen and everywhere you seem to turn? They’re given as gifts whether you wanted them or not. People seem to dump their unwanted sweets off on the unsuspecting coworker. How do you navigate the busiest time of year?
Here are some tips from our certified personal trainers on how to stay healthy during the holidays!
1.Jaclyn Dight, BS, ACE Certified Personal Trainer, NPTI Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Prenatal & Postpartum Specialist
When it comes to staying healthy over the holidays, I find that keeping up with my strategy of planned workouts allows me to be consistent during the holidays regardless of how busy things get. If it’s already scheduled, it’s that much easier to fit it in. As for eating, I allow myself to indulge a little at a party or event with an understanding that it’s not an excuse to indulge all season long. I pile my plate with veggies, fruits and proteins and make sure that if I have to bring anything to a dinner or party that I bring something healthy to share.
2. Brent Hartman, MS, Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, NSCA Certified Personal Trainer, ACE Certified Personal Trainer, Exercise is Medicine® Credential Level I
The holidays bring a frenzy of activities that makes exercise seem like an afterthought. I like to break my workouts up into smaller ones so they fit more easily into the day. Instead of one long workout, I will do three or four smaller ones. My best advice is not to get caught up in the mindset that your workouts need to be the same length or type year round, something is better then nothing.
2. Kate Helfrich, BS, Physical Therapy Assistant, ACSM Certified Personal Trainer
As I do the rest of the year, I approach the holiday season considering both exercise and nutritional components and how to strike a healthy balance between them when days are especially full of activity and often less-than-ideal food choices. When I find myself busier and unable to devote as much time to exercise (remember, every little bit counts!), I prepare foods that are lower in calories and saturated fats (ie: using lots of vegetables, lean proteins and grains, etc.). When I know I have a holiday meal coming up that I’d like to enjoy (reasonably), I look on my calendar ahead of time, the day of, or afterwards and make a point to schedule in more exercise time and choose workouts of a higher intensity.
What tips do you have to stay healthy during the holidays? We would love to hear them, share below.
References
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
