It’s not even Thanksgiving, but with these three simple steps you can set yourself up for a great New Year and still enjoy the holiday season! The average American only gains 1 to 2 pounds over the holidays, which may not seem like much. However, half the weight gain appears to remain until the summer months or beyond! Start implementing these three steps this month so you have the habits in place to crush your fitness goals in the New Year.
- Quality over Quantity! It’s so important to develop a positive mindset toward food, regardless of your fitness goals. Avoid guilt and negative thinking about food, instead realizing that it is ok to enjoy holiday foods. Many people overindulge themselves on calorie dense foods during the holiday season. A more productive approach that many people have found successful is to eat smaller amounts of holiday treats they really enjoy, in a setting they really enjoy- like at a holiday party or while watching your favorite holiday movie.
- Walk for 15 minutes 3 days per week. Many people like to wait until January to start a new fitness program once the business of the holiday season subsides. This plan makes sense, but many people fail because they are overly aggressive in their approach and they burn out because of unrealistic expectations. It’s hard to go from 0 to 60 in a single month, or even a single week! However, if you build the habit of just moving 3 times per week, it’s much easier to start a more challenging fitness program in January. I recommend picking Monday, Wednesday and Friday or Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday depending on which split works best for your schedule. I would also suggest scheduling these walks on your calendar – you’re much more likely to do then if you write them down!
- Reflect on your goals. Making meaningful change is challenging and proper motivation will help you stick with the steps of your plan until they become habits. Schedule 10 minutes once per week to reflect on your goals, why they are important to you and how your life will be different once you reach those goals.
Set yourself up for success by keeping things simple over the crazy holiday season. The steps listed above may seem basic, but you’ll be set up for a great New Year when these steps become habitual!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or nutrition regimen. The opinions and recommendations in this post are based on general information and may not be suitable for everyone. Results may vary.
References: https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMc1602012
