The holidays are often a time to celebrate the season with friends and family, but it’s also a time when it’s easy to fall into poor health habits. Below, I share five ways to stay healthy as 2014 comes to a close.
1. Eat Right – From turkey and pumpkin pie to candy canes and gingerbread cookies, the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is often filled with tempting food choices. Nobody is saying you need to completely avoid indulging in some holiday sweets, but you don’t need to wash down three Kit Kats with two glasses of egg nog. Holiday treats are often loaded with calories, so be careful not to overindulge, or your waistline may soon resemble Santa’s belly!
2. Plan Ahead – Playing off the first tip, holiday travel can make it tough for you to eat healthy. If you’re stuck in an airport or taking a long road trip, it can be easy to grab an unhealthy option from a fast food joint. If possible, plan ahead and pack a healthier option so you don’t have to spend $10 on the #3 combo at an airport Arby’s.
3. Exercise – Getting your workouts in during a normal week can be tough enough, and now you need to plan around a Christmas pageant at Billy’s school, Clara’s holiday orchestra concert and the annual office party. But you can’t let exercise fall by the wayside simply because you’re busy. Carve out some time – even if it’s only 20 minutes – to get a workout in. Wake up a little earlier, or walk up and down your office’s stairs during your lunch hour to get your daily exercise. Once you’re out of your routine, it can be hard to get back in the groove.
4. Help From Santa – We’re not saying you should buy a treadmill for your significant other, but getting them a gift that enhances their workout routine is a win-win. Whether it’s a new pair of headphones, a smartphone exercise armband or new running shoes, a gift that aids their workout routine is a great idea.
5. New Year’s Resolution – Picking a resolution and sticking to it is another great way to keep yourself healthy all through 2015. Pick one or more resolutions that are feasible, and write them down in a place you’ll see every day to remind yourself to stick to your resolution. Better yet, find a buddy who has similar resolutions and help one another keep to your resolutions!
