With the largest holiday season approaching, why does this become the hardest part of the year for many people to continue with their exercise routine? Besides the obvious yummy treats, what are some other causes and how can we diffuse and push forward with continuing our fitness goals?
Stress is the dirtiest small word that causes so many large problems with our overall mind and bodies. Especially during the holiday season, stress can be brought on by different incidences; holiday shopping, family members, parties, and anxiety. Exercising can relief much of this over added stress to the body by relieving some of the chemicals like cortisol and adrenaline which causes the fight or flight syndrome to occur. Maintaining the fitness goals a person has set throughout the year can be hard to stick with, but by ignoring them and allowing the holiday stress to take over your life, the mind and body both suffer.
Procrastinating and pushing off your workout time till the following day becomes a habit; do not begin this habit. That holiday meal will still have time to cook and the presents will all be wrapped nicely in their colorful wrapping paper but the time set aside for you to exercise would have come and gone. Try to not get into the habit of leaving your fitness routine for the last thing of the day; either allow it to be the first thing or set aside time in the middle of the day to take even 30 minutes for exercising. Take a brisk walk or jump on a mini trampoline; just continue allowing the body to have some form of consistent movement. Working all year to show off that New Years Even dress, why let four weeks at the end of the year ruin your hot body?
Unexpected guests who decide that surprising you is the best holiday present ever! Unfortunately, these holiday guests do not realize your planned schedule and they were not on the menu. The same is true for this cause; if the time frame gets turned upside down, always keep at least 30 minutes for “me” time. Meditation is a great way to conquer through the month of December.
If your normal exercise routine consists of outdoor activities, in the colder states, the person has to decide which route they want to take. Many exercisers will bundle up and continue with their fitness goals; others will hide away inside and peep out when the temperatures reach luke warm again. If you know the cold weather forces you to stay inside and hibernate all winter long, decide before the frigid months about how to maintain your fitness regime before the body begins to gain weight.
Making decisions about exercise before the high stress and unexpected guests arrive allows for calm, free of weight gain holiday season. The challenge is putting your own needs first and not worrying about everyone and everything else. By standing your ground, not only will you feel better, but everyone around you will see the difference this holiday season with your warm, calm smile.