Back at it: Fitness after the Holidays

The holiday parties, special dinners, goodies as gifts, the week between Christmas and New Year’s.  December is a fun an exciting month with a lot of holiday happenings and get togethers.  While it is a fun time for all of us, it can also be a time where we can fall off our routine and slip into some bad habits.  That second (or third) cookie or helping of stuffing decadent adult beverages combined with less time or motivation to workout can start to eat away at our progress.

Don’t panic, you can get right back on the fitness train by planning ahead, making time and setting SMART (Specific Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time Bound).  Plan out long term goals, but start small.  We don’t need to go all in the first training session back.  I draw up a yearly workout plan for my clients, then break it down into three-month chunks so that we can reach their goals in a specific time frame where they can achieve them safely and injury free. 

Planning ahead with nutrition is also key factor in getting back on track. Planning out weekly meals and doing meal prep ahead of time will help with your progress, keep calories under control and you will have a fall back on those busy or late nights. 

Working with a Personal Trainer or attending Group Exercise Classes will also go a long way to get back on a fitness schedule.  Both are good for accountability, camaraderie, and professional trainers/instructors will make sure form and weight load is optimal for you.  It is a lot more fun working out with people than on your own sometimes, especially if motivation is waning. 

These are some strategies that will help to get you back into a good fitness routine, and set you up for success!