Friday, December 16, 2011

#Fitfluential Fitness Friday: 5 Tips to Finding Balance During the Holidays

Could I get more Fs in one title?!  We are in the swing of the holiday season and everywhere you turn there are goodies to eat and events to attend.  Being Fitfluential means finding the balance between eat, move, sleep, enjoy.  I don't know about you but the holidays for me mean a little give and take on some of these...namely sleep!  Here are some tips to help you find that elusive balance:
1.  Get up and get 'er done.....The best way to keep your busy holiday schedule is to get up early and get moving before the day can get in your way.  I completely understand that sometimes this just plain stinks!  For example this morning I wanted more than anything to stay cozy and warm in bed but I know tonight I want to enjoy my time with my family.  So out of bed I stumbled!  It is often harder to get out of bed than to exercise.  Once you get going, you're good!
2.  Take time to enjoy....Don't let the holiday season go by without enjoying the time.  I always feel like I am going at break neck speeds and then all of a sudden it is New Years.  Take the time to slow down and enjoy the people and activities you love.
3.  Plan ahead.....Having an office party?  Offer to bring the veggies.  Going over to a friends house?  Offer to bring a salad to go with the meal.  Planning ahead will ensure that there will be a healthy option for you wherever you go. 
4.  Portion control.....It is unrealistic to think that you will go to a function and only eat the veggies that are there.  I mean really!  However, control your portions.  Fill your plate with healthy options and have tastes of the goodies.  This way you don't have to completely pass on grandma's famous casserole but you also don't feel like you have had your calorie count for the next week!
5.  Practice GRACE.....Ok so you fell off the healthy tree...and hit every branch on the way down.  You decided that that 3rd martini sounded like a great idea.  Everyone falls off once in a while (if they say they don't they're lying) but it is what you do the next day that counts.  Pound back water the next day to flush yourself out and be extra certain to get in your veggies and healthy foods.  One day does not equal failure!

What about yourself?  How do you maintain a balance through the holiday season between eat, move, sleep, enjoy?  
Check out what other Fitfluential Ambassadors suggest for you here!

11 comments:

  1. Great tips girl. I'm a morning person so I can absolutely attest to the validity of #1. However, as the day goes on my motivation wanes so by 4pm I'm done thinking productively.

    And I always offer to bring the veggie tray. So smart. That way I KNOW there will be some healthy options.

    Thanks for the advice!

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  2. i definitely plan ahead. if i have a bunch of holiday parties to attend...i know i will feel better going in after a tough workout. for Christmas i want to spend as much time with the fam as possible...so i workout hard in the days leading up to it and then feel safe to rest and indulge on the holiday :)

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  3. I agree, it's harder to get out of bed than it is to do the actual workout. :) I like to view it as a 'cut-back' week to my training so I can do less without stressing about it too much. Thanks for the tips!

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  4. haha, i fall off the healthy tree quite a bit!

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  5. great tips! I ate so many xmas cookies when I was baking them and then didn't want to look at them anymore! I'm in moderation now, and make sure to get in my workouts first thing. My body is just ready to get up!

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  6. Excellent tips! I'm really focusing on keeping up my workouts and indulging only when a treat is something special.

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  7. Balance?! What is that?

    My problem is I'll often workout rather than deal with laundry/dishes/etc. Consequently, our tree is only halfway decorated & no one's getting Christmas cards this year (again).

    Nicely done on your 22:38 5k! I'd love to get even below 25min for my 5k.

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  8. Love your tips!! Especially on portion control...we all must control temptations this time of year!!

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  9. Great tips. Sadly I never got around to doing this one as I am so unbalanced right now ha! I need to be better about planning ahead or something!

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  10. I agree in that everything in moderation! We had our annual Christmas fondue with our good friends last night. We balanced the meal with a few of the not so good treats, along with all of the healthy options because my wife and I want to maintain a fairly balanced meal.

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  11. I agree in that everything in moderation! We had our annual Christmas fondue with our good friends last night. We balanced the meal with a few of the not so good treats, along with all of the healthy options because my wife and I want to maintain a fairly balanced meal.

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