Fit Lifestyle*

By Sherri McMillan

Sherri McMillan, M.Sc., is the owner of NW Personal Training and has been inspiring people to adopt a fitness lifestyle for over 20 years.
Contact McMillan at sherri@nwpersonaltraining.com.

Portland 503-287-0655
Vancouver, WA 360-574-7292

www.nwpersonaltraining.com

*The information contained herein is not intended to diagnose or treat ANY medical condition. Always consult your physician before beginning any new exercise or treatment.

Managing the Holidays

Are you the type to sing along with all the carols, get your cards out early, and look forward to the crowds at the malls? Or do the joyous songs start to get on your nerves? Do the endless activities, from preparing and signing holiday cards, decorating the house inside and out, and finding the perfect gifts for your loved ones offer enough stress for you to break into hives? Whether or not you buy into the holiday season, we all probably experience some level of stress at this time of year. Here are some ways to ensure that the holidays don’t get you down.

Exercise
Bet you guessed this would be at the top of my list. Exercise is the best de-stressor at any time of year, and this still holds true during the holidays. But don’t get yourself worked up if you can’t keep up with your regular fitness regime. Instead set some minimums. For example, instead of following your regular five workouts a week, over the holidays allow yourself to drop back to two good, solid workouts a week to maintain your fitness. This will keep your energy levels up, and you won’t feel like you’ve got to start all over in the New Year.

A quick workout is all you’ll need to help make you feel better when you’re feeling a little overwhelmed with everything you’ve got to get done. The endorphins that are released during the workout will give you the energy to tackle errands with a more positive attitude. You’ll also find that committing to your workouts over the holidays helps to keep your nutrition in check. For one, when you’re exercising you seem to have more self-control to pass on some of the holiday extras. And even if you do decide to indulge, it helps to know that you can afford a few extras because you didn’t skip your workout. In fact, on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s morning, I love to work out. It really sets the day up nicely. I feel great and am less likely to overeat at dinner.

Nutrition
Pigging out on chocolates, cookies, and cakes, and drinking until you see three of everything is enough to make you feel like you’ve been hit by a truck. It’s perfectly okay to indulge over the holidays, but you’ve still got to keep your health and fitness goals in check. Instead of forbidding any treats over the holidays, focus on drinking eight glasses of water, consuming five vegetables and three fruits every day, eat breakfast, and consume five small meals or snacks each day. If you’ve still got room for your favorite holiday treat, go for it. But eat it slowly, and really enjoy the taste. At parties you may find yourself eating a lot later than usual. Try to eat something small earlier, and then at the party you’ll be less likely to overeat right before bed.

Daily Activity
When you’re running around like crazy and can’t commit to your normal fitness regime, try to incorporate more activity into your days. For example, go for a walk with your family and friends, in the mall take the stairs instead of the escalators, and park at the back of the lot. The little bits of extra activity will help you feel better.

Say No! Remember you’re in control of your life and how much you’re going to enjoy the holidays. If attending every single party you’re invited to frightens you, choose only the ones that you know will be great. If seeing each of your relatives during the holidays will leave you feeling exhausted, set up a rotation system for each year, or schedule one large party where everybody gets together so that there’s no need to drive to three different locations. If the thought of cooking dinner for the whole family makes you want to cry, delegate responsibilities and enjoy a buffet dinner.

If purchasing presents for everybody in your family or all your friends is enough to break the bank, draw names, or instead spend your time planning how you are going to enjoy special, quality time with them. In fact, my favorite holiday memories are not of gifts — I can’t even remember what I got last year — but of long walks, hikes, or sitting around with friends and family talking in front of the fireplace.

Manage Your Stress
Get enough sleep. If you’re tired, stress appears worse than it is. If you do feel stressed, take a number of slow, deep breaths and try to relax.
Remember the spirit of the holidays. Do something nice for someone. Go out of your way to be kind. Schedule time for your family and friends to recognize and appreciate all the things you should be thankful for.