Staying on Track During the Holidays

It's December and the holiday season is in full swing. This is also known as the time of year where healthy eating gets pushed aside and waist bands become tighter. The cold weather keeps you inside, making you feel sluggish. The constant holiday parties can keep you from the gym and have a negative affect on your diet. These are some tips from the Harvard Medical School to help you stay on track during the holiday season.

1. Change Your Focus: The holiday season is a great time to celebrate with family and friends. Instead of focusing on indulging in food and drinks, focus on creating memories with friends and family.

2. Track Your Habits: Food logs, activity trackers, fitness watches or even calendars are good ways to keep tabs on your exercising and eating habits. This can make you more conscious of what your eating and if you are starting to slide. This can keep you from the weight gain that usually comes with eating calorie dense foods. NutritionIX ( our choice for app) Track your weight- studies prove that by checking in with yourself on the scale several times a week helps to prevent weight gain sticker shock.

3. Don't Pause Workouts: "Everyone gets busy during the holidays, and often, the first thing to go is their workout plan. This is what NOT to do," says Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, assistant professor of medicine and pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. Staying on track with your workouts can lead to better weight regulation while consuming high caloric foods.

4. Try a New Activity: A fun, new workout can inspire you to get moving when the cold weather hits. If you are a tennis player, find somewhere indoor to practice. If you like to walk, take some laps around the mall or at an indoor track. Take advantage of holiday deals and try some fitness classes like Zumba or swimming.

5. Enlist Friends or Family: Try fitness classes with family and friends during the holidays, exercise is always more fun if it doubles as a social activity.

6. Gear Up for Activity: Making a wish list for the holidays? Ask for some new fitness items like hand weights, a portable mini cycle to use while your watching TV or sitting at your desk, cooking classes to help you improve your healthy cooking skills or winter gear to continue your outdoor workouts.

7. Partake (in moderation): Maintaining your health goals doesn't mean going without any indulgences, it just means set limits. "When you have too many beverages, you lose track of your drive to fuel your body with nutritious and delicious food,"says Dr. Frates.

8. Skip the Shame: If you go off track during the holiday season, don't give up. "If you do have a day that doesn't go as planned and you revel and have excessive fun, use it as an opportunity to learn and grow, set a new goal, and move forward," says Dr. Frates.

For more information visit: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/keep-your-health-habits-on-track-during-the-holidays

Information courtesy of: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/keep-your-health-habits-on-track-during-the-holidays