Maruchy Lachance is president of Running Ninja!, a lifestyle brand for runners by runners. Running Ninja! offers a wide variety of apparel and gifts for runners to keep you happy and inspired while you’re on the run.
The holidays are almost here, so now is the time to holiday-proof your health and fitness plan!
It happens every year around this time. Your well-intentioned co-workers, family and friends start baking and sharing treats. Someone places a small plate of cookies or brownies in the break room, or your sister stops by with some cupcakes or your friend gifts you with an autumn basket filled with candies and other confections. You nibble here and there and before you know it you’re consuming about an extra 500 calories a day.
The other casualty of the holidays is your fitness plan. You find yourself putting your exercise routine on hold while you have to run to the store for gifts, visiting friends and family and attending a variety of holiday parties. Suddenly three months have gone by and you haven’t worked out and are 10 pounds overweight.
That’s why now is the time to eliminate the stress caused by the feeling of not having the time or discipline to manage your health and fitness during the holidays. Create a plan that works for you and your particular situation. Begin each day by mentally reviewing your allotted daily caloric intake and then make choices throughout the day that honor that, even if it is with foods you don’t normally eat.
Apply the same strategy to exercise. Make a decision as to what your routine will be for the week. If you must shop or attend parties at night, switch your exercise time to the morning. At our home we have a few strict rules to keep the madness at bay. We designate one day a week where we shop for gifts and we only attend two parties a week, limiting our stay to an hour.
The most important thing is to enter into the holidays with the decision not to compromise your health and fitness. If you start planning and practicing with your schedule today, the end of the holiday season will find you healthy, fit and stress free!
For more fitness inspiration from Maruchy Lachance check out:
How Beginners Make Small Changes for Big Success
Avoid the Quick Weight Loss Fix
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