Give the Gift of Fitness: Staying Healthy During the Holidays

It’s peppermint-everything season! From mochas to candy and cookies, not to mention the potential urge to stress eat, this is a difficult time of year to remain balanced and healthy. Even if you order sugar-free everything and eat fat-free candy, the sheer excess of our society is tough to escape. No one wants to wake up on January first, feeling the worst they have in years. It’s time for a better start.

Here are some ways to keep your fitness goals on your radar during the holidays.

1. Use the Buddy System – Going it alone can be rough anytime of year, but during the holidays, it can be especially helpful to work out with a friend. Take a walk, go to the gym, or have a friendly snowball fight with someone you love.
2. Get Creative – Your free time may be limited, especially this time of year, so you might have to sneak in times and places to exercise. If you have to shop at night, take a few minutes to walk around to see lights and displays especially if you are inside an enclosed mall. Use the stairs instead of elevators and park further away from the stores to get some extra steps in. If your neighborhood or downtown areas are decorated, explore the areas on foot while you breathe in the fresh crisp air and burn off a few peppermint patties.
3. Eat Well and Hydrate – Especially in the winter, it’s important to drink plenty of water. It may not be hot enough to sweat, but cooler air doesn’t hold as much moisture, making it essential for us to maintain good hydration levels. If you find yourself indulging a little too much, make up for it by eating more salads, fruits, and other healthier meals and snacks. 
4. Reward Yourself for Meeting Goals – Everyone likes to be rewarded for meeting a goal. Incorporate rewards into your fitness plan and you will find more incentives for staying on track.
5. Encourage Those Around You to Get and Stay Fit – You might be the reason someone else makes exercising a priority in the new year. Some individuals might have reservations about exercising, especially if they suffer from muscle tightness and cramping. In that case, an ideal holiday gift is a stretching aid like those offered by Ideal Products. Designed to increase range of motion and flexibility, stretching aids also help decrease the risk of injury, help alleviate soreness after physical activity, and improve performance levels. It’s hard to argue with that.

It may take some effort to resist all those decadent treats, but it is possible for you to enjoy a happy and healthy holiday season. Prioritizing your fitness goals will also ward off that holiday stress and keep you feeling your merry best.