Maintaining Healthy Habits During the Holidays

Maintaining the healthy habits you’ve been working so hard to build all year during the holidays can be incredibly difficult.  This is the time of year where there are treats at every turn (eggnog, holiday baking).  All the parties and extra socializing (hello extra beverages and a smorgasbord of yummy appetizers and food).  Cold weather and shorter days can make it difficult to get motivated for going out for a run.  Throw in travel over the holiday season and you have the potential to completely derail all of your usual good habits.  You don’t want to be a party pooper this holiday season, so how do you navigate all of the treats and temptation?  Here are my five ways to maintain your healthy habits during the holiday season.

Sign up for a new fitness class over your holiday

Are you traveling this holiday season?  If so, consider scoping out a fitness class or two in the city you are visiting.  Two years ago when Neil and I went to New York I took the opportunity to try out Refine Method and Flywheel, two fitness classes my social media friends would constantly rave about.  I would book an early morning class which left the rest of the day free to explore New York.

Not travelling?  You can still do this in your hometown!  Go on and sign up for that ballet barre or Surfset class you’ve thought about trying.

Explore on foot

One of my favorite ways to explore a place I am visiting is to go for a run.  If you aren’t sure where to go then check out possible routes on Strava.  Some of my best running memories have been the places I’ve explored on holiday.  Strava even has local guides for select cities to help you pick a route, grab a coffee nearby and figure out where to stop for that perfect mid-run selfie.

Also consider asking your friends on social media for recommendations for running routes.  Who knows, maybe one of them will be up for meeting you for a run?

BYOW (Bring Your Own Water)

All of those holiday parties and dinners might have you imbibing more than you usually do.  There are a lot of empty calories in booze.  If you are heading to a holiday get together consider bringing you own bottle of sparkling water (even better, bring your own SodaStream bottle of sparkling water).  After you have a beverage switch to your sparkling water.  It feels like you are drinking something fancier than just water, but you are really just staying well hydrated.  This way you won’t drink a bunch of mindless calories and you’ll be in better shape for that early morning fitness class you booked for tomorrow.

Find a Friend

Staying on track over the holidays is so much easier when you have support or someone to be accountable to.  Make run dates with a friend.  Have an agreement with your spouse that together you’ll save the beverages for the holiday parties or special dinners.  Join in a virtual challenge like the 8th annual Holiday Sweat Challenge where there is a Facebook group to help with motivation and accountability.  You’ll also get weekly emails with a workout focus and goals for the week.

Still have fun

At the end of the day, this is the holiday season.  Its okay to loosen up a bit.  Take this time to sleep in, or focus on spending time with family.  If you want to enjoy all that holiday food then go for it.  Do what feels right for you!

What are some of the ways that you maintain your healthy habits over the holiday season?

I’m linking up with Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC, Cynthia at You Signed Up for What and Mar at Mar on the Run for their Friday Five.