It goes without saying that t's incredibly difficult to stay on track with your fitness goals during the holiday season. There are so many delicious temptations during holiday celebrations it's easy to get out of your routine and diving right into temptation. Let's get this straight, you don't have to hold yourself back completely and it's not all about being perfectly strict with your diet. Luckily, you don't have to completely deviate from your goals with these 5 tips for a healthier holiday season to keep you on track.
1. Drink More Water
Our body has an amazing ability to regulate food intake. With sensors that alert you when you're full, luckily you can trip them with just about anything. That includes water! Drinking 12 oz of water before a larger meal can help you feel more satiated, so you aren't indulging in more calories than you need. Use this to your advantage to promote weight loss and get enough water throughout the season.
2. Earn your treats!
This is the time where we can get more lax on workouts. We can fall out of the routine and start slacking off by either missing workouts or feeling guilty about participating in holiday festivities. Some motivation for these workouts always help. What better way than creating a system to earn those holiday treats? Every workout = x amount treats. Pick your delicacy and work out to earn it. You'll feel better about indulging, plus you won't feel like you're missing out on the season.
3. Reduce alcohol consumption
One of the biggest mistakes people make is having too many drinks. The next few months are filled with celebration and it's easy to fall right into the habit of having a drink in your hand. Most of alcoholic drinks are chock-full of sugars and empty calories threatening to take up more than half of what your body needs in a day. A good rule is to stick with low-calorie drinks (and no sugar!) and alternate cocktails with a glass of water.
4. Don'ts skip workouts
Sometimes, all you need is to relax, take a breath and spice things up! The most important thing during this season is not to be a flake with your workouts. Set a schedule, be firm on keeping your commitment to yourself, even if it's just to take a walk or go for a run. Challenging yourself over going through the motions is just as important for your body as getting in your fruits and veggies. Make your workout interesting so you're challenged and entertained to keep your body guessing. This will help with weight loss and building lean muscle even when you're indulging.
5. Don't skip breakfast (and have something healthy before a big dinner)
If there's a definite, it's that the holidays are hectic and can make everyone on edge. With the added seasonal stress, it's easy to get out of your daily habits, which can include how you start your day. Breakfast sets your nutritional tone for the day and you don't want to send your body into survival mode on accident. Studies show that you'll consume lesser calories in subsequent meals if you're eating breakfast. If you don't have the time to make something, meal prep, or try one of BioHealth's delicious protein shakes to set the right tone.