Stick to a fitness plan during the holiday season

Following a fitness plan can be difficult any time of year, but the holidays are especially challenging. That’s because, on top of all the other things you need to do, you have vacation-related tasks that can often feel overwhelming. Unfortunately, this is one of the most important times of the year to stay active and get plenty of exercise. People are tempted during the holidays to overeat and indulge in foods and drinks that might not otherwise be on the menu. There’s nothing wrong with splurging a little while on vacation, but to maintain your health, you need to balance these splurges with a consistent fitness plan.

Start by mapping out your vacation schedule. If you don’t have a daily planner, create a calendar that runs from early November to at least mid-January. The calendar should have enough space to write down everything you need to do during the season. In addition to writing down all the commitments you’ve made and errands you need to run, schedule time for yourself. When you picture the holiday season in your mind, it can feel like you’re fully booked. However, if you put everything in writing, you will see blocks of time where you can relax and manage your emotions and stress.

In as many places as you can, schedule the exercise. Even a brisk walk is enough to keep energy levels high and stress in check. It also helps you burn off that extra cup of eggnog or grab a bite of your batch of holiday cookies. If you think you can handle it, get up 30 minutes earlier and take time to do relaxing exercises like yoga or Tai Chi. This won’t burn significant calories, but it keeps you healthy and helps manage stress. However, do not sacrifice sleep to achieve this. If you’re already up late at night, don’t force yourself to get up earlier than usual.

You can also delegate tasks to others so you can focus on fitness every day on vacation. There are probably a lot of things on your to-do list that a spouse or child could handle. Simply getting through one thing each day will free up about 15 minutes that can be spent exercising. Just make sure that once you get homework done, you don’t use your free time as an excuse to spend more time in front of the TV or add one more homework assignment to your vacation schedule. This new time is meant to help you reduce stress and reach your fitness goals.

Finally, make a pact with a friend who is equally busy during the holiday season. If you are accountable to someone other than yourself, you are more likely to stick to your plan. You can exercise together or just update each other on your progress. At the end of the holiday season, make plans to celebrate your success. They can also motivate each other with the competition and reward the participant who is most successful in their vacation fitness plan.