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7 Healthy Holiday Tips for Families

In need of some healthy holiday tips? 

Healthy holiday tips are here for you, friend! I’m giving you 7 tips for staying healthy and fit. Don’t let your goals slip away.

Because you’ve worked too hard on your goals. Please remember that you do have control over your health. And there are some great ways to staying healthy and fit that I’m going to share with you.

Maybe you need some guidance for maintaining your weight. Or you want a head start on your New Year’s Resolution. 

So, here are 7 healthy holiday tips for you and your family.

Listen to the Podcast Episode Here:

healthy holiday

Next, Set a Reachable Goal

First of all, you need to be able to see the end in your mind. In addition, this involves setting a very reachable goal.

This goal might be to simply maintain weight. Maintaining your weight is a very reachable goal. Consequently, it will take much dedication if you have family dinners like mine.

Or you might just want to make a goal to wash your hands before every meal. Practicing good hygene is a good practice to help keep you healthy.

Most of all, whatever goal you have, write it down. Place it somewhere you can see it everyday and be reminded. And now you’re ready to make the plan.

Then Make a Plan

The creature of habit emerges by following a plan. So, if you have a goal in mind and are really desired to reach it, make sure you have a plan. And follow it.

So, always think of the end in mind. Think of your end goal. Then, start at the beginning.

What do you need to have to carry out your plan? You need anything and everything to simply keep you on track. Decide what those things are that will keep you on the track toward your goal. 

Some examples include:

Be sure you know what you need and have them on hand to grab. This will keep you on track after you eat that Christmas cookie

Next, Practice Moderation

Truthfully, I will never tell you not to eat that cookie. Or that piece of pie. It’s the holiday.

And one piece of pie is not going to hurt you.

But I do believe in moderation. So, one cookie or one piece of pie is what I advocate for. And use the MyFitnessPal app to track your calories so you know how much to burn in your next workout. It’s an easy way to stay accountable while practicing moderation. 

Because calories in minus calories out = Total Calories. And MyFitnessPal will track all of that for you. You’ll put in your dimensions and MyFitnessPal will make recommendations for calories and exercise. 

You can schedule out meals and track workouts. It’s just awesome. And a great way to schedule time during the busy season. 

Schedule, Schedule, Schedule

Did I mention “put it into your schedule?” If you don’t have a schedule or aren’t the scheduling type, please become one. It’s part of owning your plan.

Own your schedule. Don’t let others dictate when you will get your workouts in during the holidays. Because it has to work for YOU or else it just won’t work.

I recommend using a planner to write your scheduled time or using an app of your choice. Doesn’t matter. Just follow your plan and it will work. And if something happens and it doesn’t work out, find another time during the day to burn calories needed to maintain. A little goes a long way. 

I plan my work outs for the early morning times so that it’s finished for the day. Then, I don’t have to worry about getting it in later. Believe this – If you choose to work out during non traditional times (early a.m. or late p.m.), you will discover a couple of great benefits.

  • You won’t have to wait for equipment at the gym.
  • There will be little to zilch distractions.
  • Your workout for the day will be complete! 

But while scheduling works, we all know that any of us can get off track. Don’t let this happen to you for very long. 

Healthy holiday

Prepare for the WORST

Holidays can be very unpredictable, right. You can schedule events and workout times in but they can backfire the next day.

So, prepare for the worst but make a plan B. How will you maintain? Here are a couple of ways. 

  • Tweak your schedule to find a secondary time to fit it in. Anything is better than nothing.
  • Workout at home. I have Pinterest Boards that can help you. 
  • Eat less empty calories to maintain your weight. 

Furthermore, if you prepare for the worst and work around it, you will succeed. Here’s another way you can succeed. 

Get Your Friends Together

Do you have other friends with the same goal? Develop your bunch of groupies and make some time to get together to accomplish goals.

Or, create some sort of accountability program for you and your friends.

Hence, some examples:

  • Text Messages/Voice Messages
  • Fit Bit
  • MyFitnessPal
  • MapMyRun

These are just a few ways to keep all accountable to help reach those fitness goals. Now, here’s how you can stay healthy and keep from getting sick through the holiday. 

Practice Healthy Hygiene 

Family holiday togetherness can be a relm of germ sharing fun. And one simple wonderful family get together can really wreck your health.

Here are a few tips for staying well:

  • Wash your hands
  • Go Outside – No matter how cold. Bundle Up.
  • Exercise

Carry some hand sanitizer with you to the family get together. And wash your hand before and after each meal. Seems like a lot, but it will make a difference. 

Next, going outdoors and enjoying the fresh air will really help your immune system thrive. Get a game of football or hide and seek going with the kids. This helps everyone to get exercise as well. 

In Addition: Appropriate Fitness Goals

Specifically, exercise can really help you have a healthy holiday.

There are a couple of fitness goals that are very reachable throughout the holiday season.

  • Maintain weight
  • Lose weight
  • Gain running distance

The main objective to managing weight is based upon calories. It’s going to be very hard for you to lose weight during the holidays if you are not dedicated to that goal. 

So, if you like sweets and other good calorie mongering goodies, the goal of maintaining your weight might be a better option for you. Remember that a little motivation and accountability goes a long way. 

And accountability is important. Whether it’s to yourself, or through friends, the best results are shared results. 

healthy holiday

Invite Others To Share Wellness Goals

Staying well through the holidays can be a difficult task. So many hugs and passing around can lead to you in bed sick later. Yuck. 

Fortunately, there are some ways to avoid sickness. I’ve already listed a few things you can do to stay well, like hand washing, exercise and fresh air. People might think you are crazy if you practice these certain things. Don’t listen to them. 

Instead, invite them to come along with you on your journey. What do they have to lose? Definitely not their health! And the stress and togetherness of the typical holiday season definitely can be overcome by good health. 

A Typical Holiday Season

Seems like we all know what this looks like. So, you make a plan for fitness and wellness. But then Granny needs you to bring over a cup of sugar. Or you forget that you have to buy a gift for your cousin Franny’s new boyfriend’s sister.

Sigh.

But not to worry. All is not lost. I really want you to know that your plan will not be so easy every day. Because it’s the holidays.

Something will come up that you will have to do during your scheduled workout time, for example. And I want to stress to you the importance of “Plan B” or simply just moving on to tomorrow.

So, please do not let interruptions wreck your healthy holidays. Stick to your plan and create a way you can still fit it in. You have the power. Figure out a way to use the power.

In Addition: Using the Power of Scheduling to Overcome Interruptions

I’ve already discussed the importance of scheduling. And the fact that interruptions will arise during the busy holiday season. But these will not wreck your healthy holiday.

Because you will not let these interruptions wreck your healthy holiday. Say this statement out loud. It’s important.

Instead, look at your schedule. How can you fit in simply 30 minutes at the end of your day? No matter how tired you are. Or even an extra 30 at the beginning of the next day.

You can do it. Because you have the power. Make it happen with working your schedule around to fit in a healthy holiday.

Finally, You Can Make Time to Have a Healthy Holiday

Yes, you can. I’ve already described the different ways. Here they are in review:

  1. Set a Reachable Goal
  2. Make a Plan
  3. Practice Moderation
  4. Schedule Time for You
  5. Prepare for the Worst
  6. Form Accountability Groupies
  7. Practice Healthy Hygiene.

And above all: DO NOT QUIT. Do not give up. You will feel worse when you do. If you hit a rough patch, start over.

Also, work with your accountability buddies. They will be helping you along towards your goal of a healthy holiday. So, cherish them and do what they tell you to do. And do the same for them.

In conclusion, the holidays come but only once per year. You’ve been working hard all year to stay healthy and fit. So, don’t let holiday cheer wreck your hard work. Follow these steps and enjoy your healthy holiday!

~ Much Love ~

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Ana Ojha

Monday 21st of November 2016

Some great tips shared! Glad that you mentioned about fitness as during holidays and festivities, it become difficult to concentrate on the healthy lifestyle!

TheLocdBella

Monday 21st of November 2016

I Think for holiday plans, I'm stuck at planning and scheduling. It just gets too much.

dramrita

Saturday 19th of November 2016

Great tips to have a healthy holiday. The best way to enjoy the holidays is to be healthy

Valerie CottageMakingMommy

Friday 18th of November 2016

These are all great. I know everyone around here is getting sick quick. I've kept it out of my house.....knock on wood.

Mindy Young @ Farm Fit Living

Friday 18th of November 2016

We have good years and bad ducky years around here. But it really all depends upon how we take care of ourselves.

Briana Marie

Friday 18th of November 2016

This is such a helpful post! Awesome ideas. Thanks for sharing. :)

Mindy Young @ Farm Fit Living

Friday 18th of November 2016

No problem! Stay healthy!

Comments are closed.