The holidays are without a doubt the toughest time of the year for
fitness training. 'Tis the season for holiday feasts, a calendar
packed with holiday parties, and foul weather all of which can
diminish our motivation to train. In November and December we're
faced with every temptation imaginable, which makes it difficult to
maintain peak fitness. But here are 3 simple strategies we can do
to keep ourselves on track.
Don't Skip
Meals...
Too many of us think that saving ourselves for the big
meals will keep us from eating too much, but usually the opposite
is always the case. Not only do frequent meals increase our
metabolism but we are much less likely to binge when we reach the
dinner table.
Water, Water, and More
Water...
We should all aim for at least 90 ounces of water a day.
Not only will this keeps us properly hydrated, but will also help
us digest those holiday meals. If you plan on having adult
beverages, try to match each drink with one glass of water.
Stay
Active...
Why not use those delicious holiday foods as recovery from an
intense workout? All those precious carbohydrates found in starchy
holiday dishes like mashed potatoes, or sugars found in cranberry
sauce or pumpkin pie are excellent for glycogen replenishment. And
the protein you'll get from that holiday turkey meal will help
repair damaged tissue. Plus, our metabolism is more active after
exercise, which will help us burn those little "indulgences" that
may otherwise pack on the unwanted weight for upcoming
training.
