The Holidays, a time of togetherness, love, peace, family, friends, giving, sharing, happiness...oh and FOOD lots of FOOD and GOODIES everywhere you turn, oh and SHOPPING, WRAPPING, DECORATING, BAKING, KID'S PROGRAMS...when will you find the time to workout?
Let's take a DEEP breath and relax, you can do this after all, you are you and I BELIEVE in YOU, I know YOU can do it, so relax and lets see what we can do.
Now these are my thoughts so take away what you want...if you are looking for chiseled 6 pack abs and pefectly defined arms and shoulders etc., you will definately want to move on to another site, this is for those of us who just want to be healthy, feel good, not put on those extra pounds and maybe slim down, but all the while working, cleaning the house, taking care of the kids and being a fabulous friend :) Yes that everyday living life kind of person. This is how I plan to get through the holidays.
1. DO NOT tell yourself you have to be PERFECT with your eating.
If you have the mindset that you cannot allow yourself a treat...then you go and have one Christmas cookie...with your mindset on being perfect you tend to then beat yourself up and feel depressed, angry, upset and then the possibility of spiraling out of control is there...(well I just blew that so I may as well continue all day, well that day is shot so may as well just forget this and start again in January) Giving up on yourself and what you want is Not acceptable.
So let's continue to plan those healthy meals throughout the week and do the very best we can, these meals will give your body that good nutrition it needs and make you feel better, less tired and stressed and you get that sense of really feeling good about yourself when you eat well (pride in your choices). At the same time allow yourself a treat here and there it's ok, we don't want to deprive ourselves, we just want to make better choices throughout the day. It's important that our children see this balance too. We don't want "healthy" living & eating to look like something terrible, it is something that we do because we truly care about ourselves and living this life we have in a positive healthy way...and this does include treats with great big smiles and acceptance, that's right I AM eating that piece of fudge...take resposibility for it, enjoy and move on!
2. Drink your WATER!!
Go out and get yourself a cute class or bottle in your favorite color. Fill it up and keep it with you at all times. So many times we think we are hungry but we are dehydrated. We think we are tired, but again we are dehydrated. Drinking your water is a great pick me up, it helps to keep you from snacking too much and it is so good for you...your body, your skin it's just fabulous...get yourself some!
3. Stay ACTIVE!!!
Ok, working out...love it or hate it you need to do it! Weather you walk, run, go to the gym, do group fitness, push play on a dvd whatever your "active" is KEEP IT GOING! Do not stop this just because you have so many other things you feel you have to get done. This "ACTIVE" time is YOUR time, it is the time to rebuild YOU, to give YOU a lift, to help YOU feel better...(it also helps with those added calories coming from our treats). So what are some ways around these obstacles of being "too busy" at this time of year.
1. Find an Accountability partner! This needs to be someone you can really count on...not someone who makes it easy to say, oh let's just skip today because I have this and this going on...no someone who is going to say, hey we have to get it done!
2. Get up earlier and get it done first thing. As I have mentioned before...in fact dedicated an entry to how much I LOVE To sleep in, HOWEVER, what is more important to you? Sacraficing some sleep or sacraficing that "you" time workout that will get you closer to your goal? Either way you are making a sacrafice, so you choose. Once you start you will be so glad you did it!
3. Ok, so you have a day completely packed and there is NO WAY to get in that workout....I know it's cold out, but park in that last parking stall...the one furthest away from the store, or office or event you are going to, take the stairs EVERYtime. Standing around? Then do some calf raises. Have just a couple of minutes? Minutes here and there are perfect for some chair dips to work those triceps...where that dreaded underarm hang is, or some squats these were the largest muscles in your body...so tone those up and you are burning more calories even when you are watching t.v.! Push ups are fabulous for everything...abs, shoulders, chest etc., Are you spending your day at the mall Christmas shopping? Walk around the outter ring of the mall to get to your store instead of cutting across carry those backages and maybe do some bicep curlse while standing in line...if you want it you will find a way even at the mall!
5. If you do group fitness at the gym and your hectic schedule now doesn't allow you to get to your regular class...check that schedule there are plenty there to choose from, try something new...this is always empowering!! Are your a spinner, maybe try a zumba class, like the dancey classes, but can't make it...give strength class a try...and of course there are a number of them that offer a bit of both. Just do it!
4.
DON'T GO TO YOUR HOLIDAY PARTIES HUNGRY!!!!
This is a simple thing, but so many of us think, oh I just won't eat all day and then attack the calories at the party....UM NO this does not work. Your body cannot handle receiving ALL of your calories at the same time. Continue to get in your meals throughout the day...5-6 a day. Eat something healthy before going to the party and you'll make it through so much better.
5. Focus on the TRUE meaning of CHRISTMAS!
Christmas to my family is celebrating the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. It is about family time together. Sharing and giving. So focus on those times.
Focus:
When doing your Christmas baking, instead of freaking out about the "goodies and calories" themselves, focus on doing the baking together as a family and that time together, the memories, the storytelling while being together and the laughter.
Focus:
Snuggling together on the couch to watch a Christmas show with a bowl of popcorn and maybe some hot chocolate.
Focus:
Do random acts of Kindness this month. Example My daughter and I were in a department store, there were people all around the counter waiting to check out, with one lady there working as quickly as she could with people not being very polite, when it was our turn I made a point to tell her what a pretty top she was wearing and how nice it looked on her. Her posture changed, she smiled and gave a relieved and appreciative "Thank You". Kati noticed these changes and said I think that really made her happy mom. I took this as a teaching moment to say it wasn't hard for me to say that to her, to be nice and just offer a sincere little compliment can really change someone's day. Needless to say we left the store feeling pretty good too! So take the FOCUS off of you and put it onto Others and these obstacles you are facing won't seem quite so large.
Focus:
Enjoy those Christmas programs your children are in, enjoy the excitement that builds in them, enjoy those parties and gatherings...don't freak out about the food, focus on the friends and acquaintances you get to be with, enjoy this time of year and it's TRUE meaning!
So I hope this helps you to enjoy this time of year. I would love to hear any suggestions you have or things that work for you or just your thoughts on these ideas. As always, know that I am here to help you in anyway I can! Come hang out with me on facebook.
www.facebook.com/turbolori
