10 ways to enjoy your holiday without the guilt: The ultimate Christmas fitness tips

Holiday season, with all its glory, is right around the corner and it’s the one time of year where every house is filled with the most delicious festive foods ever. But if you’re worried about staying fit during the holiday, you probably can’t enjoy any of these meals guilt-free. So, here we are; to save you from the trouble. Staying fit during Christmas without losing the chance to eat up all those mouth-watering meals isn’t that hard. It’s all about balance and making smart choices. Here are some tips to help you learn how to stay fit during the holidays.

Move Before You Munch

Why do you think you have to get moving after eating a big meal? The goal is to burn those extra calories and frankly, your body doesn’t worry about the timing! So, you can go for a 20-minute walk or jog in the morning right after you wake up. This gets your metabolism going, keeps you more energized and even helps you eat more wisely.

Don’t Skip Breakfast

Many of us think it’s a good idea to just skip breakfast and save some room for the big yummy meals that come after. Our next big tip on learning how to stay healthy during Christmas is quite the opposite! Skipping a meal can mess up your metabolism and turn you into a beast, ready to swallow every tasty treat you see! Try to go with something healthy and filling for your breakfast, like oatmeal with some fruit or a smoothie.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!

When I say stay Hydrated, I mean it! And I mean water, real water not any other thing like tea, coffee or beer! Just the good old glass of water! If you’re going for healthy holiday eating, you shouldn’t forget about staying hydrated. This can regulate your appetite, improves your digestion and give you more energy.

Portion Control is the Salvation!

When you see all those mouth-watering options right in front of you, you might feel overwhelmed. That’s where portion control comes to the rescue. For a fit holiday season, you don’t have to skip your favorite dishes, you just need to be careful about portion sizes. For a guilt-free holiday eating fill your plate with smaller servings of each dish and focus on savoring each bite.

Prioritize those Veggies

We often tend to skip on our veggies when we see tastier options. To stop that from happening, load up on the vegetable part of your plate before diving into heavier options. They are packed with nutrients and high in fiber, helping you feel full for a longer amount of time.

Choose Lighter Holiday Treats

Our next holiday fitness tip is about all those tempting sweet treats. You see, you don’t have to deprive yourself of the joy, instead you can go for smaller portions. For example, instead of a large slice of cake, choose a smaller portion or go for a lighter treat like a bite-sized piece of chocolate.

Prioritize Protein

When filling your holiday plate, make protein the main character! Go for lean meats like turkey, chicken or fish, or plant-based options like beans and tofu. This Christmas fitness tip, keeps you feeling full longer, stabilizes your blood sugar levels, and helps muscle recovery.

Mindful Eating to the Rescue

Getting caught up in the holiday spirit is easy. So you can find yourself mindlessly munching on snacks and treats. Practice mindful eating by slowing down and focusing on your food. Take smaller bites, savor the flavors, and listen to your body. Are you full? Great! No need to go back for seconds.

Don’t Stay Up Late

Staying up late can completely mess up your sleep schedule. You’d feel hungry late at night, open your fridge and take out the first delicious treat that cokes across your eyes. It’s hard to make wise decisions at night and your body also can’t metabolize food that late at night.

Keep It Moving Even at Home

You don’t need to hit the gym to stay active. You can follow a simple and short home workout routine for the holidays. Here’s a little holiday workout routine to get you started:

Quick Home Workout for the Holidays

Even taking 15 minutes out of your day, can make a big difference. And the best part: you don’t even need any equipment, just yourself and a small room!

• Jumping Jacks – 30 seconds
  Start with jumping jacks to get your blood pumping and your body warmed up. This move is a total body exercise, targeting your legs, arms, and core. It can also rise your heart rate and get you in workout mode!
• Bodyweight Squats – 15 reps
  Next, focus on your legs and glutes. For this exercise stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, squat down as if you’re sitting in a chair, and then push back up to standing. Make sure your knees don’t go past your toes, and squeeze your glutes at the top of the movement. This is an amazing idea to burn off some extra calories.
• Push-ups – 10-15 reps
  Push-ups are a classic exercise that engages your chest, shoulders, triceps, and core. Also, if you’re looking for an easier option, drop to your knees and perform modified push-ups.
• Plank – 30 to 60 seconds
  Hold a plank position for 30 seconds (60 seconds is better if you can handle it) to engage your core, shoulders, and glutes. Make sure your body is in a straight line, with your elbows directly under your shoulders, and keep your abs tight.
• Lunges – 10 reps per leg
  Lunges are another amazing exercise for your legs and glutes. Step forward with one leg, lower your hips until both knees are bent at about a 90-degree angle, and then push yourself back up to the starting position.
• Mountain Climbers – 30 seconds
  Finish with mountain climbers, an exercise that combines cardio and core work. Start in a plank position, then alternate driving your knees toward your chest as fast as you can. This will get your heart rate up while engaging your core and working your arms and legs.

Bonus Little Tip

Now, here’s another tip to make this work even better. Repeat this circuit 3 times. You can rest for 30-60 seconds between rounds, but make sure to keep the intensity high to get the most out of it. This is a quick, efficient way to stay fit without spending hours in the gym. Plus, it’s perfect for those holiday days when you’re stuck inside or simply don’t have time for anything too complicated.