Around the holidays, we tend to put our health on the back-burner. With the season comes drinking, desserts, and a whole lot of eating. While these activities may be fulfilling for the soul, it is easy to forget that the season will end. When you decide to get back into your fitness routine, you might find it a little bit challenging. Let’s talk about some ways we can make the transition from “party time” to “back to business” a little smoother this year.
1) Hydration – Eggnog, wine, and champaign may make the holidays fun, but the next morning challenging. No one is trying to tell you to neglect this enjoyment altogether, but making a conscious effort to hydrate your body will come in handy the following morning AND when you get in the gym. Remember, the average healthy adult needs around 3 liters of water a day to sustain hydration. The closer you are to that number, the better your body will perform in the gym!
2) Protein – If you’re anything like myself, the holidays are all about those side dishes and hors d’oeuvres are the life of the plate. When it’s easy to fill up on bread, cake, and other carb-o-licious dishes, it becomes important to prioritize protein. I know you want that extra scoop of mac-n-cheese, but try another serving of ham or turkey and see if that eases the craving. Your body will thank you later when you hold on to the muscle mass you came into the season with!
3) Get that fitness in! – It’s easy to put working-out out on layaway until the holiday chaos is over, but every bit counts when it comes to maintaining routine. We understand that holiday schedules might mess with your typical gym time, but your fitness is not limited to between the gym walls! Take a walk, hold a plank, do some step ups, anything to keep your body active rather than dormant. You can even include the family with these activities! This will make your transition back to routine a little smoother come January.
Enjoy the holiday season, and we will see you in the gym!
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