Staying on Track During the Holidays
Staying on Track During the Holidays
The holiday season is the busiest time of year for most people and it can quickly become overwhelming to maintain habits you have worked to establish. We are going to give you tips on how to stay committed to your goals amidst the chaos. We will discuss this in relation to exercise, however these tips can easily be applied to any aspect of your life or goal you may have.
Rely on Routine
Most people plan out their time of exercise around everything else they do during a day, for example, doing a workout directly after work. We get in a habit of time blocking our days to fit in specific tasks and as long as each week look similar, we fall into a routine. Then the holidays roll around causing schedules to change, more things that need to be done, and possibly traveling. All of these things disrupt the normal routine and tasks such as exercising get pushed to the side. A trick to avoid this is to plan out your week in advance and time block accordingly. By setting aside the time in advance, you will ensure that you actually have the ability to get everything done that you need to do.
Prioritize your Goals
Your goals are goals for a reason: they are important to you. If you view your fitness goals as priorities rather than chores, you are much more likely to make the conscious effort to be sure you fit in time for exercise everyday. With all the other extra plans and travel, remind yourself it is okay to put yourself and your health first.
Don’t Stress About Missing Workouts
While prioritizing your goals is important, it is just as important to not add pressure to yourself. Things happen and things come up unexpectedly; it is okay to miss a workout. What you don’t want to do is let that one missed session determine how the rest of the week goes. Skip that session then move on and get back in routine the following day.
Have a Plan
Having an exercise program or pre-writing your workouts can eliminate a barrier to exercising. A preset program allows you to know exactly what you are going to be doing without thinking about it. It also ensures that you are progressing and doing exercises that make sense for your goals.
Enjoy the Holidays
Incorporating fitness into your life is best achieved when it is done by forming a lifestyle. That means adding in exercise into your already existing routine and structure. This remains true during the holiday season as well. Spending time with family and friends and enjoying your time will always be more important than squeezing in a workout. This is the time of year to embrace all that you have, including your health.