Ready to THRIVE?
What are you waiting for?!
If you celebrate Christmas, then today is a very special day for you. Merry Christmas! If you are reading this in real time as it showed up on my site, right now I am probably taking too many blurry pictures of my children as I choke back tears as I remember "how little" they were last year at this time. I'm emotional. I cry over everything. :-)
But, chances are you are reading this at another time. Maybe it's Tuesday night now or Wednesday morning. Regardless of whether or not you celebrate Christmas, you might be thinking ahead to more parties this week as New Years approaches quickly. If you thought that I was going to tell you right now to avoid alllll cocktails, cookies, and pie…you thought wrong. I want you to enjoy yourself…with intention! And, I want you to feel as though you're not "off the wagon".
One way to allow all of the merriment to happen and also not feel like you've tossed away all hope at any of your health goals is to keep (or re-establish) an exercise routine right now. Before I lose you here, I'm not talking about going from nothing to 60-minute workouts! How about 5 minutes today? How about 10 tomorrow? What can you do? Let's start there.
In my latest Workshop Wednesday video, I shared a little bit about how to set goals in a completely new way (hint: behavioral over outcome), and also get into 7 ways to get your fitness in during the holiday season…and Winter in general. There are unique hurdles that present themselves this time of year, but there are also unique opportunities!
Here's a summary:
Tip 1: Commercial breaks. During your favorite holiday movie, Netflix, or DVRed show, march in place or do dips on a chair.
Tip 2: Be creative. Ten squats every time you go to the bathroom (yes, even at work) is that much more than you're already doing.
Tip 3: Festive decorations. Bundle up for a walk or run as a different way to experience the beautiful lights this time of year.
Tip 4: Holiday fun run. There is still time to sign up for a New Year's run or walk. Be social and active at the same time.
Tip 5: Track your steps. Use an app or wearable device to try to improve the number of steps you take. Using those gifts cards or making returns at the mall? Perfect! Do a few extra laps.
Tip 6: Shoveling. You have to wait for Mother Nature to cooperate for this one, but take advantage when the white stuff gets here.
Tip 7: Winter FUN. Snow tubing, ice skating, sleigh-riding, skiing, snowboarding...
Which one of these is your favorite? I'd love it if you hit "reply" to this email and let me know.
In good health and holiday cheer,
Tara
P.S. If you want to catch the video, here it is!