How to Stay on Track During the Holidays
How to Stay on Track During the Holidays
Hey guys!
Can you believe it’s the middle of December already? Seriously, WHERE does time go? The holidays are coming up and it’s one of my favorite times of the year! So much celebrating, spending time with family and friends, parties and FOOD! Do you find it tough to stay on track with workouts and healthy eating? Don’t worry, most of us do, but I’m going to share with you some tips that help me stay on track during this time of year. These will help you enjoy the holidays, while still maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
(Me this weekend at the CA Academy of Sciences after YOLOing with my fam!)
First, let’s talk food – because that’s what the holidays are about, right?
Well, not really. It’s not JUST about food. Sometimes I think we get too caught up and make the holidays an excuse to go crazy on all the yummy treats. Instead, focus your attention on what this time of year is really about – spending time with loved ones, caring for others, showing gratitude and simply living in the moment. If you think too much about food, you’ll end up overindulging on everything and probably regret it later. So what do you do instead? Here are my tips. #1. Allow yourself treats in moderation. Enjoy the flavors of the season, have your dessert, but don’t eat so much that you have a “food baby” after. Don’t deprive yourself, but don’t overindulge – find the balance. #2. When attending holiday parties, do NOT go on an empty stomach! This will lead to binging on all sorts of food (probably the ones that won’t make you feel so good). Instead, eat some veggies and lean protein before the event. Then go, grab some treats that look good to you, but listen to your body. Stop eating when you’re full. Also, remember that you’re allowed to say “no” when offered food. It’s okay to turn down seconds if you’re satisfied. #3. Drink up! Water that is. This time of year we’re so busy with running errands, stress from work, school, traveling, etc. It’s easy to get dehydrated without even realizing it. Drinking water is also important after those large meals, and the next morning. This will help get all that extra sodium out of your body and you’ll feel less bloated. Rule for water…Try to carry a water bottle with you at all times. Aim to drink at least 9 cups of water a day. These Blogilates Designs water timer bottles are PERFECT to help you reach your water goals. Also, check out my detox water recipes to add some flavor and extra vitamins and minerals to boost your metabolism and help flush out fat!
Now, let’s talk fitness. During the holidays we can think of a million excuses to skip our workouts, but don’t let your excuses get the best of you! Instead, plan ahead! #4. Schedule your workouts just like you would schedule anything else. Make a plan that fits with your holiday schedule and COMMIT to it. If you plan it, then you won’t have the excuse “I don’t have time”. Even if it’s a 30-minute workout, make it happen! Something is better than nothing. #5. Make it a family affair! What better way to stay fit and active than getting your family to join in! Have they ever tried a Blogilates workout before? Imagine how fun it would be to do the Call Me Maybe Mighty Squat Challenge with your fam!
This is the 2016 Blogilates Fit Planner! Did you get this beauty yet!? If not, it is the the ULTIMATE tool for success in the new year. I’ve designed this gorgeous gold accented journal for you to write down your food, your snacks, your workouts and how you feel!
I’m a big believer in writing down what you’re doing and how you’re eating as way to stay TRUE and HONEST to yourself in your transformation journey. These were printed in limited quantity, so if you want one, get it now! They sell out every year! Click here. #8. Do NOT stress eat! Recognize if you’re grabbing that tub of ice cream or jar of cookies because you’re hungry or because you’re overwhelmed. Stress eating will just cause more stress! #9. Live in the moment. This seems obvious, but we get so caught up in doing a million things, checking our phones and emails, when really we should be enjoying this time with our family and friends. Surrounding yourself with loved ones is the ultimate stress-reliever. Don’t let the holidays ruin all the hard work you have been putting in all year. Instead, enjoy them, eat in moderation, schedule your workouts and RELAX. Your body will thank you for it. Remember, we strive to stay fit and healthy all year. And besides, taking care of yourself during the holidays will jump start your 2016 goals!
18 thoughts on “How to Stay on Track During the Holidays”
There are 18 comments posted by our users.
All excellent tips. I wish I had read this when I got the email it was posted. But I’ll be on my A game during New Year’s eve and day psrties.
Solid tips. I DO have to eat before I go to a party bc there is NEVER nutritional dense food, it is all just baked goods or processed meats. Always disappointing.
Hy Cassey,
thank you so much for all you work and passion. I’ve been following you for years (with months of interruption to be fair) and I have a new years resolution: I want to do all of your videos next year. But I have no clue how much work this is…? Do you or does a fan know how many minutes and / or videos those are?
With lots of greetings from Vienna / Austria
Monika
Hey Monika,
If you follow the monthly workout calendars then each of your workouts would be about 40 mins to 1 hour each day. The beginners calendar is shorter, about 30 minutes per day.
Hope your goals come true in 2016! Happy New Year!
Love,
Aparajita
Thanks so much Cassey! I can feel the emotion and general care you have for our goals for ourselvea and that you are my personal trainer <3 I've gotten back into your workouts and I was so excited to smash December but I've not done it for a couple weeks due to working and needing sleep, that time of the month, and now?!?! Now I'm sick :/ The only good thing is I've been amping up my water and whole/fresh foods and fruit intake 🙂 I feel mid-well and can't wait to get over being sick and jump into the new year with you to kick butt in January! You are so inspirational to me and I really love you thanks for investing your time and compassion into every POPster that you do it doesn't go unnoticed 🙂 🙂 xoxo
Thanks for the encouraging tips, Cassey! How I relieve my stress is by simply praying to God, who’s got it all under control 😉 Have a blessed Christmas season and a happy new year too!
BUT don’t forget it is Christmas, it’s a holiday, it’s a time for you to enjoy yourself, and there is nothing wrong in “overindulging”. This is a time to treat yourself so you should do just that. Do NOT feel guilty if you eat “too much” and really I don’t think you should limit what you have at all, overall it would make it an unpleasant experience as Christmas is a time where the food is crazy good. Be happy and enjoy yourself, and most importantly look after yourself – whether this be eating whatever you want or restricting the food, make sure that you’re happy. If you’re unhappy eating a lot then you could try to eat less, but if you’re unhappy eating less then just go for it and eat what you want! There shouldn’t be such a focus on what you eat, it isn’t important, I promise you <3 what is important is your well-being and if you have a lovely personality, people aren't going to care what you look like at all! Merry Christmas beauties <3
I just started your december calendar cassey, I don’t know why I can’t pass through after 2 days. 🙁 I just did dec. 14 and dec.15, but during dec.16 we had a lot of quizzes and papers to pass I lost the free time I have.
but anyway thanks for the tips. I am an ultimate sweet tooth and believe me, not eating sweets for days is a total achievement for me. Haha. 🙂
Great tips! Thank you again for thinking of us and helping us to stay fit and motivated between the holidays. Have a great holidays with you family and wish you all the best. XOXO
Such great tips! I have issues with binge eating, especially around the holidays. I am going to get the fit planner to try to get my eating habits on track!
So true Cassie! Thanks about a lovely post! You really inspire us all here! Happy and relaxing holidays to you all! xxx And let’s stay fit!
Great ideas Cassey! Thanks! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Thanks for the great reminders Cassey!! I especially like the getting enough sleep part cos that is usually neglected! I stay all the way in Singapore and can’t get your blogilates planner. I hope it will come here one day!
These are great tips! I have recently been eating very bad due to gifts from friends. I feel gross for eating the junk food, but I have been pretty good with my workouts! Hope you have a great Christmas 🙂 Xx
The new blogialtes journal looks absolutely gorgeous! It looks just as good as the Erin Condren life planners. 🙂
These are fantastic tips Cassie. The key to managing stress for me, is having my whole day laid out, and being REALISTIC about how much time things will take / if I can fit other things in.
I also find the hunger scale essential this time of year. If 0 is starving and 10 is uncomfortably full, I always try to eat only when I get down to 3 and stop at 8. You can’t argue with that when you’re faced with a buffet!
Happy holidays 🙂
Jill
Italy’s Finest: Talking Wine & Business With Top Chef Fabio Viviani
Hi Cassey, great tips! I only recently noticed that I’ve been slipping back into my old stress eating habits…It’s a REAL thing. Definitely. By the way, when are you coming out with new gym bags? I’ve been wanting one for years, and now that I’m finally old enough to have a credit card, they’re gone—! NOOO!
Best of luck on all of your endeavors, and a very happy holiday season to you <3
Thanks Cassey for another great tips. I haven’t been here for a long time (problems with computer, then with the Internet… And lack of time too 🙁 ). Hope you will spend great time with your loved ones on this special Christmas time. Wish you all the best! 🙂