Top 5 Holiday Tips

It's that time of year again. Time for gatherings, joyful reunions, and an endless supply of sweet treats! With joyful gatherings, temptation around every corner, and the general joy that is celebrated during this time of year, it can be easy to fall out of healthy habits and into warm and cozy traditions.

Just because we are in prime celebration time does not mean that you have to give up on your health goals! Here are 5 simple ways that you can add healthy habits into your holiday lifestyle this year!

1. Start the day off right with a healthy and filling breakfast.

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Breakfast is suggested to be the most important meal of the day. In truth, it is just one of the essential meals of the day, but it can set the tone for your entire day! Beginning your day with nutritious foods lays the groundwork for a healthy and accomplished day!

Try serving up a warm bowl of gingerbread oatmeal with nuts, a breakfast burrito, or avocado toast with an egg on top! The possibilities are endless!

2. Don’t forget to hydrate!

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Water is an important macronutrient that is highly underrated! Water is not only essential for keeping your energy level up, but is also responsible for helping to absorb shock in our joints, transporting nutrients and waste to and from cells, and improving oxygen delivery to our tissues! The last function of water mentioned is especially important to consider when thinking about your fit20 training!

How do you know when to drink more water? These are some of the first signs of dehydration:

  • Thirst
  • Brain Fog
  • Fatigue
  • Feeling Anxious
  • Headache

This year give the gift of hydration with a nice water bottle, or water filtration system so your loved ones can enjoy a healthy start to the new year ahead!

3. Stay active!

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We’ve all heard the excuses, “I’ll just pick it back up on the 1st,” “it’s so hard with all the activities,” “I’m so busy,” etc. Don’t let the excuses of others become your reality. If you keep moving and maintain your momentum you will never have to work hard to get it back! Keep moving forward!

Working out for 45 minutes a day is only 3% of your day. At Fit20 we make it even easier for you with a 20-minute workout! That means you have 99.85% of your time to do all the activities you need to prepare and participate in the holiday season! So I challenge you to never stop moving!

Staying active is important, but recovery is equally important. The weather is getting colder, which brings on more feelings of stiffness and sore joints. Remember to stretch your muscles and use heat or ice when appropriate to alleviate inflammation in the joints.

4. Make a plan.

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Festive gatherings are inevitable during this time of year as we celebrate the holidays and excitement of the upcoming new year. Make a plan to consume healthy foods at these parties and when cooking at home. Here are some great tips to help you navigate the holiday party scene in style:

  • When preparing meals, don’t leave out your vegetables!
    • Some in-season veggies include: beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, collard greens, kale, turnips & rutabaga, and winter squash.
  • Taking a dish to pass at a party? Bring a dish that is healthy and that you know you love!
  • Fill your plate with protein and vegetables at meal time, then fill in with other food items like mac n’ cheese, rolls, and brown sugar yams.
  • Slow down when eating. Chewing your food 30 times allows for better digestion and an enhanced sensation of satiation

5. Don’t forget to practice self-love.

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Your physical health is a priority, but so is your mental health. During this time of giving it is important to remember that practicing self-love is not selfish, but essential so you be there for your loved ones and community during this time. Some of my favorite ways to practice self-love include:

  • Taking a warm bubble bath
  • Completing a 10-minute meditation
  • Writing in a journal
  • Setting goals and organizing
  • Curling up with cozy blankets and a great book
  • Doing a hobby I love

As you embark on this season’s holiday journey, don’t forget to take time to practice self-love, put your health goals first and most importantly, have fun with those that you love and care about most.

Be prepared, be safe, but most importantly be excited for all the joy that is yet to come.