Download - Staying motivated over the holidays
STAYING MOTIVATED OVER
THE HOLIDAYS
I get asked all of the time, especially with the holidays just
passed, how I stay motivated through all of the social
gatherings, dinners, homemade desserts and deliciously
tempting gifts. I have learned through trial and error what
works best for me when it comes to staying on track during
the holiday season. In past years I have made it through
without so much as a second glance at temptations, and
others I have indulged in everything I could get my hands
on, welcoming in the New Year with the feeling of guilt and
a larger dress size! Here is what I've learned.
BE REALISTIC
If you set your expectations for yourself too high, more often than not, you will
fail. Expect to slip-up. Allow yourself to indulge every once in a while, accept it
when you do and move on. No one is perfect, no one eats 100% healthy all of
the time, and if they do I'd like to meet them! When we set unrealistic goals for
ourselves we tend to beat ourselves up, and become discouraged and
disappointed when we do have the occasional slip-up. This usually leads to
giving up altogether and turning that one slip-up into days, or even weeks, of
unhealthy choices. This was the case for me, the hardest thing over all else has
been learning to give up the "all or nothing' attitude I carried with me for so
long. Eating healthy isn't about punishing your body, but respecting it. Don't
deprive yourself, enjoy your favorite treat every so often, and get right back on
the horse when you're done!
CONSISTENCY
It is easy for us to become distracted by all of our holiday duties and
forget about going to the gym or finding the time to always prepare
healthy meals. During these busy times it is important to stay
consistent in your exercising and eating clean. If you can find half an
hour out of your day to go to the gym, go. If you can't leave the house,
have a quick 15 minute at-home workout while dinner is in the oven!
Any bit of exercise you can fit in will keep you on track until you have
more free time. Again, when it comes to food it is okay to have the
occasional cheat but be consistent and continue to eat the way your
body deserves at your next meal.
FIND A ROLE MODEL
This could be a celebrity, fitness personality, friend, acquaintance or
personal trainer. Whoever you decide to be your role model, it should be
someone whose choices you respect. This person should live an all-around
healthy lifestyle; the same kind that you strive for. I use Tosca Reno. When I
am tempted at a dinner event I think of what she would do in a similar
situation, or I imagine her there watching my choices, and that is enough to
make any temptation quickly disappear! I have seen some people even carry
around a picture in their wallet of their healthy role model or have a poster
of them on their kitchen wall. It reminds you of what you are working
towards, even when others around you are making negative choices without
a second thought. Find out what works for you and use your role model as a
guide to making the right choices for your body!
SET MINI-GOALS
Make mini, short-term goals for yourself over the holidays or
when you know ahead of time that there is going to be
temptation. Instead of making the goal "I will not gain any extra
weight this holiday season", break it into more specific goals
such as: “When faced with my favorite chocolate desserts, I will
have just one instead of the usual five", "I will make it to the gym
at least three times per week", or "I will have a salad before
every dinner instead of going for seconds". When we make
smaller, reachable goals, we gain the feeling of achievement and
are less likely to continue on with bad habits.