The holiday season is creeping up on us like a sneaky little cookie thief! Before you know it, you’re surrounded by pie, mashed potatoes, gravy, and those irresistible holiday cocktails.
It all starts on Halloween when one piece of candy turns into many, straight through to Thanksgiving.
Now, don’t get me wrong—I love the holiday spirit, the family gatherings, and all the festive treats. But if you're not mindful, it can be super easy to let your fitness and health routines fall apart faster than a gingerbread house in a snowstorm. Oh yes, I did....
Something that I find VERY helpful is to do your best to keep your routines going, especially during the holiday season.
Look, I know the temptation is to kick back and relax, but this is when sticking to your routine is more important than ever.
Consistency is key, my friends! When life gets chaotic with travel plans, parties, and holiday shopping, you’ve got to have a rock-solid game plan to stay on track.
Remember, I'm not looking for perfection here, progress is key, and focusing on the things that support you on all levels.
Here’s how you do it:
1. Schedule Your Workouts and Enroll Others!
First things first, put those workouts on your calendar and treat them like appointments you can’t miss. Even better, invite friends or family to join you! I always have my workout buddies around no matter what.
For example, when Shawna and I go to see her family for Thanksgiving, I go for runs and hikes, we play badminton and baseball with the kids. The whole family joins in and we have a blast while we're burning calories. This way I can indulge in an extra piece of homemade lefse (it’s a pan-fried Scandanavian bread…yum!)
Whether you're traveling, hosting family, or wrapping gifts until midnight, you’ve got 24 hours in a day—carve out 30 minutes to move your body. YES, all you need is 30 minutes...
You don’t need a gym. You don’t even need equipment. Bodyweight exercises will work wonders, and we have plenty of workouts you can do on the go with my Power Nation Fitness app. Jump squats, push-ups, and some good ol’ fashioned burpees will keep your metabolism revved up and your muscles engaged.
2. Create a Quick Go-To Routine
Don’t have an hour to spare? No problem! You can crush an awesome workout in 20-30 minutes. We also have a ton of HiiT workouts on the PowerNation streaming platform and most of them come in right around 30 minutes - and best of all, no equipment necessary!
Me and my crew of amazing trainers have created plenty of high-intensity, short-duration routines inside Power Nation that’ll have you feeling like a superhero in no time. The goal is to keep moving.
If you skip too many days, the holiday sluggishness sets in, and before you know it, you’re in a post-turkey coma until New Year’s. So, find a routine you can stick with, and make it happen. No excuses! And don't forget to invite the family to workout with you.
3. Stay Hydrated
Listen, it’s easy to forget about hydration when you’re guzzling eggnog or enjoying a holiday cocktail or two. In my opinion, that's a slippery slope.
If you want to stay on top of your game, drink water—lots of it. Hydration is key to keeping your energy levels high, and it’ll help you avoid overeating because thirst often disguises itself as hunger.
My general rule is half my body weight in ounces of water. If you weigh 190, drink 95 oz of water a day, especially if you're working out! I know it sounds like a lot, but most people walk around super dehydrated and don't even know it. Your body will thank you!
4. Keep Nutrition on Point
Now, I’m not telling you to skip Grandma’s famous pumpkin pie. Enjoy it, but let’s not turn every meal into a five-course feast.
Stick to your healthy meals most of the time, and when you do indulge, practice moderation.
Fill your plate with veggies, lean proteins, and healthy fats first, and save the sugary stuff for dessert. Remember, our body doesn't need that much, and two bites of a dessert can be satisfying if you're eating mindfully and savoring your food. Most importantly listen to your body's cues, it will never steer you wrong.
You want to be sure you're getting all the nutrients you need to stay healthy through the season and into the New Year when illness can be running rampant.
5. Prioritize Rest and Recovery
The holidays are busy, but you’ve got to make time for sleep. Without enough rest, your body can’t recover from your workouts, and your immune system can take a hit.
Trust me, you don’t want to catch a holiday cold. So, even when things get hectic, make sure you’re logging those 7-8 hours of sleep every night. It’ll help you stay sharp, energized, and ready to tackle anything.
Bottom Line
The holiday season is a blast, but it doesn’t have to derail your health and fitness. Stick to your routines, stay consistent, and you’ll roll into the new year feeling strong, healthy, and ready for whatever life throws at you!