Healthy Holiday Tips

Yes, it is here again...the holidays! I have compiled some healthy tips to help you navigate yourself through the holidays and get through them without sabotaging your fitness goals.

*Make a Plan
Decide now whether you want to maintain or lose weight during the holiday season.
Design a plan that is measurable, attainable and realistic.
Write is down. Sign a contract with yourself. Look at it often.
Continue to count calories for all your "treats" and have a plan to burn those off!

*Start Exercising Now
Make a difference now if you feel like your healthy eating may be in danger over the holidays. By the new year it may be too late.
Exercise first before you go to parties and events. This guarantees you are burning calories before you eat too many of them.

*Plan Ahead
Eat a balanced meal before you attend a party and don't "save" your appetite for temptations.
By eating veggies without dressing, a bite of pie instead of the whole thing, no whip cream, less alcohol and more water you will save yourself calories and extra pounds.
Contribute a healthy option at a potluck. Bring what you can eat and enjoy a taste of everything else.

*Minimize Stress
Plan ahead and follow a plan to avoid panicking in the last minute with shopping and preparing for the holidays.
Get enough sleep. Quality sleep is key when added stress and demands are placed on you during the holidays. If you neglect your body you are more likely to get ill and enjoying the holidays will be more difficult.

Remember, the holiday season is about sharing time with friends and family and appreciating all that you have. Take care of yourself and your new year will be filled with more than you can imagine!

Packing Smart

It is almost time and I've packed just about everything but the kitchen sink in my luggage for a week long vacation. I have a few things in my luggage that I just could not sacrifice and are necessary for me to continue my healthy life plan and keep my fitness going while I am away. I thought I would share some of my ideas with you that you can use next time you travel.

*I pack food that I can use to supplement my diet and maintain my metabolism while I am away. I always pack oatmeal and raisins for breakfast. You can heat water in a microwave or use a hotel coffee maker to heat the water. It is not recommended to send the oatmeal through the coffee maker though. Some other snacks that will keep you satisfied along the way are trail mix, turkey jerky, dried fruits, and nutrition bars.

*Pack an exercise band with a door attachment. You can do many exercises with one band including bicep curls, tricep press-downs, a complete shoulder routine, back work, assisted squats, chest press, rotational exercises and many more. Take a resistance that is challenging but that you can use for all exercises. If you need to do more repetitions to compensate for the resistance, it is a lot easier than having too much weight to begin with.

*Use a lightweight jump rope to add a dynamic warm-up or intensity to your cardio routine. A jump rope adds more intensity to a walk, a great way to warm up or additional cardio when designing a strength training set.

*Also utilize what you have and turn your imagination on! You can do squats on a wall, triceps on a chair, push-ups, abdominal work and stretching all within a very small space.

There is always a way to incorporate fitness into your life. You will feel better by doing a little something each day and enjoy your time away with more energy. It also may help should there be some slip-ups on your nutrition. I will keep you posted on my routine when I return as I may have found more fun things I can share!