Don't Let The Holidays Ruin Your Fitness Goals

*videos below

6 Ways to Get Through the Holidays With Your Fitness Goals Intact

We all get tempted from time to time to go against what we know to be best for achieving our goals. We set out to accomplish, but then time and outside influences get in the way. Pushing past these and staying the course is what separates those who achieve and those who fail to succeed. Easier said than done, so here are some tips on getting through that time of year full of hibernating, holiday meals, and gatherings with loved ones.

1. Find Small Moments to Exercise

Stick as close to your normal routine as possible, but when you have those days where you're fitting way too much into your schedule and something needs to give, don't sacrifice your workout completely. Instead, find a small pocket of time to knock out a short workout that can be done anywhere. At the end of this article, you will find some videos of effective exercises Steve uses.

2. Find Ways to Incorporate More Physical Activity Naturally

For the days when we need to shorten our workout, lessen the blow by getting more overall physical activity in your day. Walk, bike, or jog to a destination instead of driving when possible. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Carry your kids, chances are they've been running around all day getting plenty of exercise. You get the idea. You'd be amazed at how these small things can add up.

3. Schedule Your Workouts Like Your Would Meetings and Appointments

For the days when things may seem overwhelming, but you have the time to invest in exercise don't let it escape you. Fight the feeling of being overwhelmed with some exercise-induced endorphins. Commit to your fitness routine by scheduling it into your day like you would any other important event. Remember goals are nothing if we don't treat them like commitments we make to ourselves. This can also be done for meals and the prep time involved in cooking them.

4. Utilize All the Extra Friends & Family Time

Around the holidays people often want to spend more time with their friends and families. Dinners, parties, and shopping trips end up being the top ways we spend our time with others this time of year. Instead, offer to spend time with your loved ones in ways that help you achieve your goals. Help them get through this season with healthier habits by working out together, cooking healthy meals together, and going on physically active adventures together, such as a hike. This is a great way to share this time with family and friends. Just be conscious of their abilities and interests as well. Look to keep it fun and be encouraging of those who may find it difficult.

5. Start a Charity Challenge

People often feel extra charitable this time of year. Combine giving back with your own personal goals. Organize a fitness challenge with the aim of raising funds to support a charitable organization of your choice. Two birds, one stone. This will also help in getting those around you to support your efforts and give yourself a higher level of commitment to your progress. Choose the activity, set the goal, get friends and family onboard, gather donations for meeting that goal, and share your progress along the way.

6. Always Have Some Convenient Healthy Snacks On Hand

This time of year we can be on the go more than ever, cramming tons of events into a single day. Don't sacrifice your diet for convenience. Next time you're at the grocery store consider picking up a few things that you know will be easy to eat on the go, but not break good habits. Consider bringing your Greens with you in a shaker and keeping a healthy portable snack in your bag or car. Just be cautious of mindless snacking, don't use this as an excuse to eat excessively or break your fasting schedule.