It's easy...if you stick to it. It is even doable. No dieting for the "season"...to fit into that little black dress. Stay on track, eat well, exercise and even...ENJOY!!!
TRACK YOUR CALORIES!
I've said this before and I know....you may not agree with me here. But....humour me for a season such as Christmas where it's a lot of socializing - desserts, appies, drinks. Why not do it now to keep you on track? Know that when you have that glass of wine that it's within your goals and you won't feel guilty! Know HOW MANY little appies you can have guilt-free - and you will find you enjoy your evening knowing you didn't go overboard!! WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE??!!
Go ahead....whether it's on-line, or in a book (my personal fave is the old-fashioned book - where I have to take the time to sit and write it down. I find by doing so it is therapeutic (really) and by looking at what I've done for the day...makes me inspired to keep it going the following day). The "Diet and fitness Journal - your personal guide to optimum health" published by Peter Pauper Press, Inc...is my favourite. I love the lay-out - and how there is so much information in the beginning. By the time you get to the part where you record what you've done...you are raring to go!!
If you track what you eat each day over Christmas...you can then "tweak" it to allow yourself a goodie here and there. I know if I'm socializing in an evening...I make sure I eat less throughout the day (but still in such a way that I'm being healthy), to allow for some pastries and cheese in the evening.
Watch your wine, pop...anything you are drinking at those parties!! It's oodles of calories you are "drinking" here - so don't just watch what you eat...you MUST include everything you drink also.
How empowered you will feel if you go through the Christmas season in a wise fashion...no depriving yourself...just moderating. No over-eating - just enjoying! It's a wonderful feeling and SO worth the effort!
MOVE!!
Tis the season to be jolly...but don't be so jolly that you turn to jelly! Make sure of all seasons, that you stick to your workouts. It is SO easy to bypass your fitness regimen during this time of year. This is when you REALLY need to kick up the effort a notch and stick with it. Perhaps you don't want to go to the gym so often...so mix it up and perhaps go for a long, brisk, snowy walk one day instead. Get out the snow shoes (they are GREAT!!)...go tobogganing!! Just keep moving.
Grab a friend: do something with them rather than exercising alone. It's always more fun with someone to talk to and support you....so rather than walk alone, ask someone to go with you! Have a lovely coffee or tea booked for after - something to look forward to that will make it far more enjoyable!
Have a plan: Perhaps promise yourself that for every evening you go out and eat some "goodies" you normally don't have...you will make sure the following day you will do something active. Or for every pastry (over what you are allowed to have that evening) you put in your mouth...you will add "x" amount to your workout the following day to make up for it. Having a plan makes you stick to the regimen more...makes you feel like you are accomplishing something and keeps you in the mode where you don't want to ruin what you are doing.
Don't give up! Don't have an hour? Then do 15 minutes!! Go to the gym even for this small amount of time (I've done it!!). You will find one of two things. Either you end up stretching out the time once you are there into a longer workout. Or...you will make it a VERY productive one. 15 minutes?? NO PROBLEM!! Have 5 or ten moves that include strength and power....do each move for a minute and do this cycle a few times through...you will find you are sweating just as much as if you'd gone for your hour. Don't give up just because time is slight. Make the effort and you'll reap the rewards afterwards.
It really is doable to stay on track over Christmas. What the obstacle really is? People lose the desire to stick to their plan since it's such an enjoyable, social time of year. The effort is lacking (or the will?) and most feel they will "start again in the New Year".
Make this the year where you don't want to "start over" in the New Year. Keep things on track so much that Resolutions are a thing of the past.
It all boils down to what you want more: lots of food, fun and relaxation - paired with weight gain, a big more jiggle and the effort in the New Year.......or a bit more restraint....effort of 15-30 minutes each day (remember..there are 86,400 minutes to choose from!!!!) and ultimately NO weight gain, NO more jiggle - and TONS of pride knowing you did it!!
