Happy Friday! As usual, I’m linking up with the DC Trifecta, Mar from Mar on the Run and Cynthia from You Signed up for What?!. This week, we’re offering up a few tips on how not to pack on the pounds over the holidays. Between family gatherings, work parties, meeting up with old friends…it all adds up and if your calendar is anything like mine right now, it is PACKED. Here are some tips on how to stay healthy this season:
- Schedule workout dates
instead ofin addition to the holiday happy hours. Try getting your friends together to check out a new fitness studio during this holiday season. Many studios are running great deals and just waiting for you to take advantage! If you are here in DC, check out this website for info on what fitness things are happening around town! - Bring your lunch to work. This is a small thing, but if you will be eating out at a lot of parties and dinners this month, bringing your lunch everyday can not only save you money but it can save your waist line! Save your calories (and money) for all those happy hours and dinners out this month!
- Take advantage of holiday themed runs and races. There are so many ugly sweater runs and jingle bell jogs in the month of December, that you can easily find a fun, lowkey 5k to run to help combat some of the yummy treats that also make their appearance this month.
- Pick your drinking days. I’m not a big regular drinker. I enjoy a glass or two of wine maybe once a week if I’m hanging out with my girlfriends. But during this season, it seems everywhere I go someone is putting a glass of something in my hands.
- Reduce your stress. Sadly, holiday season can also mean stress for a lot of us. Make sure that you are doing seemingly simple things like getting enough rest, taking some time for yourself and focusing on the true meaning of the season.
How do you stay healthy during the holiday season?
These are all great tips, Courtney. My biggest piece of advice is to not over schedule yourself, which I know at this time of year is anything but easy to do. My husband and I forced ourselves to limit the number of holiday parties that we attend this year, partly so that I don’t get sidetracked from my half marathon training but also to save our sanity! And with the holiday season much shorter than last year’s, its impossible to think that you’ll get to as many events as you did last year.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…30 Day Countdown
So true! Thanksgiving was late so everything is crammed in! I think your point about not being able to do everything that you did last year is such a good one!
I like pick your drinking days! I’m not a big drinker either but if you have 3 days of parties you don’t want to be sloshed for a week 😉 Great tips!
Mar @ Mar on the Run! recently posted…12 Days of Blogmas, Day 1: Holiday Fitness
Yes, definitely don’t want to end up sloshed for a week 🙂 LOL
Great tips! My drinking habits definitely increase this time of year too, as someone who isn’t much of a drinker to begin with. As for staying healthy, I’d like to think my training will outweigh my over indulgences. And if you figure out the magic secret to decreasing stress please let me know. That’s a big downfall of mine for sure.
Courtney @The TriGirl Chronicles recently posted…And The Parade Marches On
Oooh, packing my lunch – that is a great tip. I definitely tend to eat healthier when I pack. At the very least, I try to pack a morning and afternoon snack. I don’t leave work until at least 6pm so I’m hungry while commuting, so if I don’t eat one of my snacks at work, I’ll eat it in my car on the way home.
Cynthia @ You Signed Up For What?! recently posted…Friday Five: Holiday Fit Tips
Great tips. I always found the office parties the hardest. People bringing in goodies and treats every day and leaving them in the kitchen … one or two bites always found their way into my mouth when I would go in there to make a tea and I drink a lot of tea!
Anita recently posted…5 for Friday #5
This year I’ve been surprisingly stress free (maybe something do with with the endorphins from a semi-regular workout schedule again?) and it’s been nice to just get to be excited about the holidays. Great list!
Lindsey recently posted…Friday Five: My Favorite Cold Weather Gear
Staying healthy is something that I am in need of working on. I was actually just thinking about it the other day and I might start I guess you can call it a diet next week. I don’t mind doing it during the holidays, because it will get me out of lots of potluck crap at work, and I hate potluck food…LOL These are great tips, I’ve made a mental note of a few to keep on my mind as I move forward!
Kristy @Runaway Bridal Planner recently posted…Winter Running Tips
I stick to my regular workout plan as much as possible if not a little more. Stay active!
Jill @ Fitness, Health and Happiness recently posted…Nutrex Hawaii: Benefits of Spirulina