Keeping moving – how to stay on track during the silly season

As we move into the warmer months, alongside of the alure of long overdue catch-ups with friends and family, it’s certainly clear that sticking to our health and fitness goals over this festive season may be particularly challenging. Let’s be practical, recognise this and plan ahead, so we have some great strategies to keep our health on track as we look to wind up 2021. 

Here are some simple tips that can help support your health and fitness (while still having fun) over the Christmas and New Year period:

• Schedule time to exercise

It is important that you continue to prioritise and commit to designated times where you focus on your wellbeing. When our lives become busy it is often exercise which is the first thing we sacrifice. By designating a set time to walk, go to the gym or attend a class you help create a routine which you are more likely to stick to despite your busy schedule. If something comes up that creates a clash, try to plan another time to exercise, to ensure you maintain consistency and routine.

• Be adventurous and try something different 

Have you considered using the flexibility of not being tied to a regular work schedule to try something different? Why not explore an indoor rock climbing centre, ten pin bowling, a tai chi or yoga session. Explore activities that may stretch you outside of your comfort zone, allow you to enjoy new experiences and learn some new skills – they might even help you to meet some new people too.

• Continue to choose to move

Ensuring that we continue to look for opportunities just to move is really helpful. Structured exercise, alongside of being aware to sit less and move more, can really help to boost our energy expenditure and keep us motivated to move. Choosing to move more often throughout the day may not seem much, but over time it really adds up.

• Maintain a healthy eating routine

If we attended a Christmas party and indulge in desert it is unlike to derail our overall health goals, let’s just not make this a habit. It is when we make these treat meals a part of our routine that they negatively impact our health. So, it is essential that we maintain our usual healthy eating habits, except on special occasions such as Christmas day lunch. Additionally, try not to horde chocolates, lollies, and other snacks in the house throughout the week, this constant temptation can be hard to resist, especially if you are working from home and always have access to the fridge!

• Plan your catch-up environment

Look to organise catch-ups with friends and family at a beach or a park where you incorporate movement through short walks and active play with the kids. Playgrounds are a great way to interact with friends and family, and help encourage you to move rather than sit. Look to eat locally by choosing cafés and restaurants that are close to home where you can leave the car behind and walk – this can help to balance some of that extra energy being consumed by restaurant eating and can provide you with a sense of accomplishment.

• Reduce portion sizes

Try to limit yourself to a set serving size of your favourite foods. If you can resist the temptation of that second slice of cake, or plate of Christmas ham you can reduce the impact of enjoying these foods. Additionally, while at a party, try choosing a few foods which you will most enjoy, rather than indulging in everything on offer.

• Buy presents that encourage activity

Encouraging those around you to remain active will really give you a boost to stay motivated to move. When buying gifts, a new pair of runners, some active wear or a wearable device that measures steps and movement are great ideas. These types of gifts encourage movement and can really help people feel good about themselves. When shopping for them, why not pick up some for yourself!

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