By: Danielle Rosario
It's that time already! Can you believe the holiday season is already upon us? Cue the holiday tunes and seasonal decorations.
This season really is the most wonderful time of the year for many reasons, but let's be honest—it can often be chaotic and stressful. While it's a time of joy and celebration, where we spend quality time with our loved ones, it also disrupts our regular routines. That means we usually have to adjust our workout schedules to accommodate traveling, holiday festivities, and preparing for it all.
Figuring out how to work out consistently can be challenging, but it is doable. We'll share 7 tips on how to stay consistent with working out and diet during the holidays. From setting realistic goals and scheduling workouts to balancing holiday treats with healthy choices—we’ll help guide you so that you stay motivated amidst the holiday rush.
1. Set Realistic Holiday Fitness Goals
During the holidays, you want to strive to stay on track with your fitness goals but it’s essential to set achievable ones. Unrealistic targets can lead to disappointment and a lack of motivation.
Start by assessing your schedule during the last couple months of the year. Be honest about how much time you can realistically dedicate to working out.
While we always encourage you to challenge yourself and continue growing and improving, the holiday season may not be the most opportune time to try and do so. When setting goals, you want to keep them simple and attainable. Here are a few examples:
- Aim to exercise at least 3x per week
- Incorporate short, 20-minute workouts
- Focus on maintaining your current fitness level
Flexibility is key during this busy season. Adjust your goals if necessary as holiday plans change. Make adaptability your friend.
Remember, progress in any form is worth celebrating. By focusing on small, realistic objectives, you can maintain consistency in workouts and feel accomplished.
2. Schedule Workouts Like Holiday Events
During the holidays, scheduling workouts is as crucial as planning festive gatherings. Treat your workouts like an important event. If your fitness goals are important to you, then you must make them a priority.
Blocking out specific times for exercise can help you stay committed. To begin, consider your daily routine. Identify windows where workouts fit naturally.
Add these sessions to your calendar, just as you would holiday parties. Consistency in workouts becomes easier when they're part of your schedule.
Here's a simple plan that may work for you:
- Morning walk or jog before festivities
- Lunchtime yoga session for relaxation
- Evening home workout for destressing
While you’re in town, make sure to book a class at one of our studios before the schedule fills up. By prioritizing your fitness, you can balance celebration with personal health and well-being. You should be able to enjoy the holidays without guilt and still feel good about your choices.
3. Find Your Holiday Fitness Motivation
With the sun setting earlier our days grow darker sooner—which hasn’t been known to help with finding motivation during this time of year. The festive season brings distractions, making it easy to lose focus.
One way to maintain motivation is to remind yourself why you started. Consider your fitness goals and the benefits of consistency.
Visualize how you'll feel by staying active. Increased energy, stress relief, and a sense of accomplishment await you.
You can also set mini-goals for the holidays. Achieving small milestones boosts your confidence and keeps you engaged.
Lastly, reward yourself for meeting these goals. Celebrating progress enhances motivation and sustains your workout consistency.
4. Embrace Accountability and Support
Accountability plays a crucial role in maintaining consistency in workouts. Having a partner or group encourages commitment.
Share your goals with friends or family. When others are aware, you're more likely to stick with your plan.
If you enjoy group fitness classes, join a fitness studio or online community for extra support. Group dynamics can motivate you to keep pushing forward.
Don't hesitate to ask for encouragement when needed. Seeking support shows strength and can boost your motivation.
Remember, you're not alone in this journey. Embracing accountability can foster stronger dedication to your fitness routine.
5. Manage Holiday Stress for Better Workouts
Because the holidays are a time of high-stress, even more reason for you to figure out how to stay consistent with working out this time of year. Holiday stress can derail even the best plans.
Not only will managing stress help you maintain consistency in workouts, but exercising in and of itself will help you with stress management. There are many ways that workouts like Lagree can benefit you and help reduce stress levels.
There are also a few basic things you can do to help reduce stress on the daily.
- Mindfulness and breathing exercises—these practices can calm your mind and prepare you for exercise.
- Avoid overcommitting yourself—prioritize your health, and let go of non-essential tasks and activities if possible.
- Get enough sleep—quality rest reduces stress and enhances your ability to work out consistently.
6. Incorporate HIIT Workouts to Save Time
During the holidays, time becomes a scarce resource more than ever. High-intensity workouts offer an efficient way to stay fit. At Pilates Plus LA, our classes are only 45 minutes long, yet super effective. Not only do you get a high-intensity workout, but one that’s low-impact as well—and in less than an hour!
Remember balance is key when it comes to a sustainable fitness regimen. You don’t need to workout every day, which is great news for you during this busy holiday season.
When you’re traveling, you can use bodyweight exercises for a quick HIIT workout as well. They require no equipment and can be done anywhere, anytime.
Short, intense workouts ensure you don't sacrifice health, even during the holidays. And if you only have 15 or 20 minutes—then workout for that amount of time. Something is better than nothing.
7. Balance Holiday Treats with Healthy Choices
The holiday season tempts us with delicious treats. It's important to enjoy them without overindulging.
Start by practicing mindful eating. Pay attention to hunger cues and savor every bite. We often are in such a rush, even our meals end up being scarfed down from time to time when we’re pressed for time. Make it a point to slow down and truly enjoy your food during your holiday celebrations.
Portion control is your ally. Opt for smaller servings to satisfy cravings without guilt. Balance treats with nutrient-rich foods. Include fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins in your holiday meals. It’s not about focusing on restriction here—it’s taking a balanced, mindful approach to your diet.
Remember, occasional indulgence won't derail your fitness goals. Prioritize overall balance to stay consistent.
Celebrate Your Consistency
I think most will agree that figuring out how to stay consistent with working out and diet through the holidays can be a challenge. There are parties to attend, meals to prepare, and family gatherings that easily consume our time.
Yet, maintaining your fitness routine during this period is crucial. It helps to manage holiday stress, maintain health, and start the New Year on a positive note.
As the holidays unfold, honoring your fitness goals and tackling how to workout consistently becomes essential. Every small victory counts.
Recognize your commitment to both health and enjoyment. You can find a way to stay consistent with working out and diet while still embracing the joy of this festive season.
Start scheduling those workouts today and fit a few Lagree classes into your holiday workout routine. Let us help you conquer consistency in workouts all season long. We’ll see you on the Megaformer soon!
