The holidays are a time to celebrate, and boy, do we make the most of it. We eat, we drink, we indulge and then we end up feeling like bloated whales by the time it's all over. It's almost an unspoken rule that, with the holidays, comes unlimited eating and incompleted workouts, but this year, you have a choice.
You don't have to let every party become your own personal eating contest, and you don't have to let shopping take the place of your usual exercise routine. All it takes is flexibility, creativity and a new way of defining exercise.
Keep Moving
It's tempting to ditch your workouts as your days fill up with holiday preparations, parties and errands, but now more than ever, you need to stay active. Exercise will help you deal with added stress and give you energy for everything you need to accomplish. It will also help you manage your weight through the maze of parties and gatherings you'll be attending. If you have trouble sticking with your usual routine this time of year, come up with a new one. Forget the rules, lower your standards and do whatever you need to do to keep moving:
Remember to work hard. Keep your perceived exertion1 at 8 or 9 for the entire workout.
- Exercise wherever you can. Ormond Boot Camp has two sessions that are in the morning and are most convenient for girls on the go. We meet 5 days a week at 5:45 and MWF at 9:30. See website for more information!
- Make it a family affair. As you gather together with your family, plan active things to do. Walk around the neighborhood to look at holiday decorations. Play football before the big meal at Thanksgiving or Christmas. Plan contests with the kids to see who can run the farthest or who can do the most push-ups. Challenge everyone to a snow-shoveling contest, and then build a snow person out of the remains.
- Don't forget strength training. Maintain your muscle mass by paring down your routine to the basics. Choose compound, multi-joint movements2 to make sure you're getting the most out of your time. This new strength-training workout3 is a great place to start. It involves a variety of compound moves that target the large muscles of the body with plenty of core work thrown in as well.
Control Your Eating
Eating yourself into a coma seems inevitable during the holidays, what with all the yummy delights available. Treating every party as if it's an invitation to indulge, however, is a sure way to add pounds. Below are a few reminders for keeping the calories in check:
- Eat Before You Go. Rules to live by: never go grocery shopping while hungry, and similarly, never hit a holiday party on an empty stomach. You'll be less tempted to overindulge if your belly's full of something healthy.
- Choose One Treat. Once at the party, choose one thing to indulge in and make it good. No chips -- you can have those any old time. Pick something you only get during the holidays.
- Control Your Drinking. Alcohol is an easy way to consume more calories than you need, so avoid mixed or fruity drinks, and have a glass of water for every drink you consume. Also, definitely avoid the egg nog; it has up to 350 calories a cup.
- Don't Skip Meals. It's tempting to skip meals to make up for whatever nightmare food you'll eat later, but just like the empty-stomach rule, if you're starving, your rational mind will be unavailable for healthy food choices. Eat small meals all day to avoid going nuts at the buffet table.
If you are looking for ideas for Holiday gifts for your friends or relatives, Adventure Boot Camp for Women has gift certificates available in any denomination!
If your wishing for a Ormond Adventure Boot Camp for Women certificate under your tree this year, have your spouse or relative contact me at ormondbootcamp@aol.com and I will mail the certificate directly to them.
If you want to secure a work out buddy in the New Year, get a gift certificate for your friend so she reaps the benefits of being a Boot Camper. With the purchase of her gift certificate, you will receive 1/2 off your session!
No comments:
Post a Comment