That Mom Life – “Say Yes to Less” Holiday Edition
If you are feeling stressed with everything that you have going on over the holidays, it is ok to utilize the “less is more” approach. You don’t have to attend every single event that you get invited to. You don’t have to do every creative craft you see on Instagram to keep up with the other moms. Don’t get yourself so overbooked and overstressed that you can’t enjoy the time and memories with your kids.
As far as fitness and nutrition goes over the holidays, keep it simple and stay consistent. You can still enjoy some festive treats, without going overboard. There are going to be a lot of temptations during this time of year, between work treats, holiday parties and family gatherings. If you treat every event as a free for all, it will be a slippery slope in other areas too. One cookie can lead into 5, which leads into a stomachache, which leads into not feeling up to getting your workout in. You get my point.
“Less is More” Fitness
The less is more concept regarding fitness really means that your fitness over the holidays might look different and that is ok. Try to get the idea out of your mind, that every workout must be in the perfect setting, with the perfect amount of equipment, with the perfect intensity. You might be traveling during the holidays and not in your normal routine and setting. Does that mean you should just throw in the towel and pick up your workout routine when you get back home? No, it doesn’t. Keeping up with your physical activity during the holidays is not only going to help manage your stress, but it will also help with other things, such as digestion during those holiday meals and keeping you progressing towards your fitness goals. I don’t know about you, but I want to finish the year feeling strong and proud of the work I have been putting in all year. I don’t want to feel like I am “starting over” come January 1st.
Workouts
Get creative with your workouts and better yet, get your family and friends involved too! Here are some creative ways you can get a workout in:
–Ice Skating: There are a ton of towns that have public skating rinks now. Take the kids, throw on some skates and I guarantee you will create special family memories and get a great workout in at the same time! A couple local ones to Southeast Michigan are:
–Walking: Sounds simple and it is. Grab your family and head out for a walk. You could walk around your town and look at the Christmas lights. Or, if you are visiting family in a town you don’t frequent often, this is a great way to check out the sights. You will notice a lot more when you are walking as opposed to just driving through. This is also a great way to help your food digest after a big holiday meal. Walking is underrated, but it has so many health benefits. Not only is it low impact, which is great if you are with a family member that has some limitations, but it is also great for your stress and mental health.
Body Weight Workouts: If you are traveling, whether you are staying with a family member or in a hotel, you might not have your normal equipment available, or any at all. That doesn’t mean you can’t still get a great workout in. Don’t underestimate how tough a workout can be with simply your body weight. The programming that I follow, Street Parking, has a whole section of workouts that are specifically “body weight only” workouts. They are short and effective. I have been able to stay consistent with my workout routine following their programming for the past 4 years, while working full time with 3 kiddos and traveling (both CONUS and OCONUS) with the Navy.
Drop into a gym/fitness class: If you are more comfortable being in a gym setting, there are usually always day pass options available. If you are staying with a family member that has a gym membership, offer to tag along with them to one of their sessions. It would be a great way for some extra bonding time (unless you need some you time without the family!) and a chance for you to possibly try something new. When I traveled a lot with the Navy, I would always try to drop into a CrossFit gym at least once, wherever I was. It was especially fun when I was overseas. It was a great way to get involved in the culture and see how other areas of the world do things. CrossFit is universal and even with a language barrier, the movements are the same and the community is always welcoming.
“Less is More” Nutrition
During the holidays, routines are often out of whack, kids are off school more than normal and it can be overwhelming to try and stay on top of your nutrition. While we don’t want to restrict ourselves completely from enjoying some yummy holiday treats, it is possible to do so without totally throwing away all the progress that you have made up until this point. Be picky with what treats you choose to indulge on and enjoy them! You don’t have to eat all the sweets that are in sight, but you can have some, if you choose!
- If you are following a macro tracking program, just pre-track the treat and work the rest of your day around it.
- If you are following more of an intuitive eating approach, allow yourself a treat that you know you will thoroughly enjoy, that won’t leave you feeling bloated and uncomfortable.
- If you follow a “palm method” way of eating, have a little less in the way of carbs/fats during the meal that you decide to have a treat at.
It is all about balance. Life is meant to enjoy the things that we love, and food is often a big part of that. But we also need to find a healthy balance of enjoying those “sometime foods” and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. We all want to be around as long as possible to keep enjoying those foods, right?!?!
If you are completely overwhelmed with what to do regarding your nutrition, and need some 1-1 help, I am always here to help you with that! Just head over to 1st Phorm and add me as your advisor (Nicole.fitm@gmail.com).
Make sure to continue making yourself a priority, even during the crazy holiday times.
Enjoy the extra time with your loved ones and keep showing up for yourself!
Nicole
