It’s the most wonderful time of the year! As we move into the start of the holiday season, the DC ladies thought we’d focus on how to stay healthy during this season of overindulgence. I can’t wait to read everyone’s tips! And don’t forget, you can find our Friday Five themes for the next few weeks here! Stay tuned for a fun announcement next Friday!! Per usual, I’m linking up with my girls Cynthia and Mar for the #Friday Five. You can read our linkup rules here. Please note that if you don’t play nicely, we will delete your link. Have a great weekend!
- Take advantage of fun runs! Turkey trots, Jingle bell jams, the holiday season is full of short, fun runs that are easy to take part in and usually involve costumes (a win-win in my book!). I’ll be running a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning and it’s one of my favorite ways to start the holiday. It makes me feel better about the pumpkin pie I’m about to consume. 🙂
- Cook as much as you can. Something that you make at home is pretty much guaranteed to be healthier than something you buy at a restaurant. Make it fun! I like having a couple of friends over and have everyone make something. It’s easy, low stress and fun. I realize that having to cook during a busy season can be stressful…so did you know you can order holiday meals from Whole Foods? Just sayin!
- Treat yoself. Honestly, I can’t say it any better than this:
- Walk it out. Not a runner? Too full of turkey and cranberry sauce to run? Take a walk around the block with your family. This is a great, simple way to stay healthy and keep moving but not feel like you’re going to fall over from running too soon after eating (not that I’ve done that…ahem). Have a dog? Even better. I love taking my pup Sasha on walks and she loves it too!
- Wine, not eggnog. Okay, I’m kind of joking but kind of not. Wine is heart healthy! Eggnog = not so much. The bigger point here is to be smart about your treats. Pick and choose and if you want something really delicious but not so healthy…like I said, treat yoself…in moderation. 🙂
How do you keep healthy during the holiday season?
Courtney, I LOVE that you’ll be participating in a turkey trot on Thanksgiving Day; we will, too, so I’ll think about you while I’m out there and give you a cheer! We definitely have some items along the same lines on our list…great minds think alike, right? 😉 And…I LOVE your “treat. yo. self” message. My favorite! Thanks so much, as usual, for such an awesome link up! Hope you have a great weekend!
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…5 Ways to Stay Healthy During the Holidays
loved your list, girl! yay for turkey trots on turkey day 🙂 have a WONDERFUL weekend, friend!
This year I am actually doing a Jingle Bell run. Making my husband actually do it with me too! I work every Thanksgiving so I’ve never been able to do a Turkey Trot.
Daisy @ Fit Wanderlust Runner recently posted…Thinking Out Loud
jingle bell run sounds fun! i always like to run the national mall after the white house christmas tree is all lit up 🙂
Haha love the treat yoself! Everything’s good in moderation. 🙂 I was going to sign up for our local Turkey Trot but going to be out of town this year.
Sherry recently posted…Five Ways to Stay on Track During the Holidays
I swear, treat yoself might be my favorite phrase ever!
Great list. Can’t wait for my first Turkey Trot this year. Excited for it.
John @ run. geek. run(disney) recently posted…Five Ways to Stay on Track During the Holidays | Friday Five
Yay! With the whole family?
Yay for the holidays and wine, haha. I’ll be running a Turkey Trot with a few of my girlfriends (it’ll be a first race, ever, for one of them).
Oh how exciting for your friend!!
Since I am not a fan of eggnog I will go woth the wine any day:)
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…If the Disney Princess lived in the United States, Where would they live?
You and me both, lady!
My sister started a tradition of walking with her husband after our big holiday family meal. Eventually I got to join them, and now DH and I will often do the same, weather permitting. If we’re at his parents, often it’ll become a group outing, even the dog goes! It’s quite pleasant.
M @ readeatwriterun.com recently posted…Friday Five – Staying on Track and Healthy During the Holidays
Thats great! A wonderful family tradition 🙂
Yes to wine over eggnog!!:) All great tips! I will be running a marathon the Sunday before Thanksgiving, so no turkey trots for me.. 3 years ago I ran the Philly marathon 4 days before Thanksgiving and signed up for a 10k turkey trot and of course I had to race it, which is NOT a good idea 4 days after your first ever marathon! But there are plenty of other ways to get some exercise, even if its just going for a walk like you said!
Lisa @ RUnning Out Of Wine recently posted…Five Ways To Stay Healthy During The Holidays
Good luck on your race – what marathon are you running?
I used to love eggnog, but now it’s too rich for me. Mulled wine is nice though ….
Coco recently posted…My Top Five Healthy Holiday Tips
I’ve never been an eggnog fan. So wine is really the only choice for me 🙂
I’m so excited to run my first Christmas themed race next month! Now, I need to get working on that costume…
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Friday Five – November 7th – Five Ways to Stay on Track During the Holidays
Oh fun! Which one?
Christmas Town Dash 8k in Williamsburg. I’m so excited!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Friday Five – November 7th – Five Ways to Stay on Track During the Holidays
Oh fun!!!
Love these tips, especially ‘Treat Yo Self’!
Oops, didn’t mean to post it yet! Anyway, it’s hard to stay on track during the holidays, but there’s so many great tips to help us out – great topic!
Heather Runs Thirteen Point One recently posted…friday five: staying on track during the holidays
Yes, I’m going to be pinning a lot of these posts 🙂
Yep, I”m definitely with you on #1. I need a race or goal to work toward!
Michele @ A Pace of Balance recently posted…Stay on Track This Holiday Season
It certainly helps in terms of motivation 🙂
We also run a Thanksgiving day turkey trot and this year, even the hubs is joining in……maybe he will get in 2 runs before race day.
Pam recently posted…Healthy Holidays
Oh, fun! I love it’s a family affair 🙂
I love the tip to choose your treats wisely! Wine over eggnog every time (because eggnog is gross!). Thanks for hosting!
I agree wholeheartedly with you about eggnog. Yuck!
Cooking at home as much as possible really helps me stay on track. Happy Friday
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…5 Fab Fall Fitness & Beauty Finds
Happy weekend! And yes, cooking helps a lot!!
Yes to Turkey Trots and Jingle Bell runs! Now that my calorie out will decrease this month, my calorie in will also need to do the same. I look forward to some cooking in this month (and with some wine of course).
Jennifer recently posted…Friday Five – What’s New II (Weekend Edition)
Haha, cooking with wine is the best!
First of all: I LOVE the meme you used at the top! Hilarious! I find that cooking/baking occupies my mind and hands so I am not tempted to indulge as much. Plus I dfind that whatever I cook or bake, I like to see others enjoy it so I don’t eat it.
Christine @I’d rather be sweating recently posted…Survive the Holidays
Yes!!! Same here – I always eat less of my delicious food 🙂
Yes to cooking as much as you can and making it fun! I’ve already scheduled two dinner parties for December and I’m sure there will be enough food for leftovers during the week. And since I’m cooking most of the food, I can make sure it’s reasonably healthy 🙂
Chaitali recently posted…Friday Five – ways to stay healthy in winter
Smart move – what are you planning to make?
I’m all about wine and I never even wanted to try eggnog. Right with you on that point 🙂
Lesley recently posted…Stay Healthy During the Holidays
Wine for the win!
These are great tips! I”m hoping to do a couple holiday runs–gottta get training!
Kate @KateMovingForward recently posted…Friday Loves #24
The great things about holiday races is that they’re normally short enough that you don’t have to do much training! 🙂
Yep! I love holiday fun runs!! Jingle All the Way 5K coming up in December! You should join us!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…A decadent, healthy afternoon snack: Dark Chocolate Hemp Seed Butter
Yeah, I’m on the fence for that one. Sunday races are hard for me because I don’t like missing church! I’ll let you know what I decide 🙂
I have to keep focused during the holidays so I’m doing a #RWrunstreak The 5k’s add up eventually, so I’m spreading them out this year to keep under budget.
Love the Treat Yo Self. So true.
Haley recently posted…Friday Five: How to Stay Healthy During the Holidays
Oh my goodness it ALL adds up! Awesome that you’re doing the streak!
ew, eggnog! wine – always, always wine… and I love your graphic 🙂
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Friday Five: Healthy Holidays!
Agreed. Wine always wins 🙂
Oh yes to the wine!! 🙂 I like to sign up for a spring race to make sure I have a goal. If I don’t have a goal I’ll let myself get suuuuper slack.
Jess@Flying Feet in Faith recently posted…Friday Five : 5 Ways to Avoid Holiday Plumpsies
Yeah, goals help keep me accountable as well’
I love this list! I actually did a post this week about starting healthy holiday traditions, which in my family was starting Thanksgiving with a turkey trot! It is a great way to start a holiday that would otherwise be a about eating 😉
Yes, I agree. And the one I run is a great fundraiser for a good cause!
Totally agree with all of these, especially the last point. Wine is so much tastier than eggnog too! But mulled wine though… 🙂
Amanda H recently posted…5 Ways to Have a Healthy and Happy Holiday Season
Can you believe I’ve never had mulled wine?!!
I’m so happy to be back on the link-up! Thanks again, Courtney, for hosting.
That wine v. eggnog tip is a good one. Good thing I like wine more than eggnog! 🙂
Molly @alsoranagain.com recently posted…Friday 5: 5 Ways to Stay Healthy during the Holidays
Yeah, me too! And welcome back 🙂
I’m signed up for the Bethesda 2 mile Turkey Trot! Can’t wait! “I’m going running! Who’s with me?”
Awesome!!
I also wrote about Wine being the better choice! Lol gotta make good choices! Thanks for hosting the Friday Five Fun!!
Diane@runninrocker recently posted…Friday Five: 5 Ways to Stay on Track During the Holidays
Yes to the wine! I always justify red wine as healthy. 🙂 Also, agreed with the walks. It can be hard to run outside with the cold here in MN, but walks are doable (especially after a lot of food!). Thanks for the great reminders!
Kate @ EAt Clean with Kate recently posted…Friday Favorites – Keeping Sane!
You crack me up with “Treat. Yo.Self!” – But so important to do, right?! And I will definitely take wine over egg nog any day 🙂
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…Friday Five – National Running Safety Month
Beer also has vitamin B. So you know, antioxidants from wine, vitamins from beer. Who needs eggnog anyway? 🙂
Lindsey recently posted…Friday 5: Bronchitis Edition
I wish we had more holiday runs here in France, but it seems like racing stops between November and February… you are so lucky. And wine over eggnog, definitely.
Karen – Fit in France recently posted…Friday Five : Five Ways to stay healthy during the holidays
My biggest problem is making it a whole season of gluttony and not just on or two special days.
Heard something at Weight Watchers I really liked, “It is a holiDAY, not a holiweek.” I think I will really work on remember that and only enjoying the actual holidays, and not going buck wild all season.
Love your tips, especially “treat yourself.” I tell my clients to be realistic and enjoy themselves “occasionally.” I think constant denial is setting yourself up for failure. Running in our local turkey trot has become a huge tradition for my family and some of our close friends! It’s the best way to start the holiday off!
Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…Ellie’s Self-Made Ultramarathon
This was one of my fave Friday 5 topics we have done!
Cynthia @ You Signed Up For What?! recently posted…Bia Sport Watch Review
Me too!!