Take the Challenge This Holiday Season

With the cold and shorter days and holiday festivities, it’s easy to fall off the exercise bandwagon. Add to that the unbelievable amounts of rich, sweet, fatty foods and you have the perfect storm of fitness-undermining elements. You don’t have to fall prey to the rum cake’s call, though. Consider these tips when approaching the holidays.

1. Don’t overeat. It’s incredibly tempting to have “just one more truffle,” but try to remind yourself of how much exercise you’d need to partake in to burn it off.
2. Get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation can lead to a large number of problems, including a weakened immune system and greater susceptibility to injuries.
3. Keep drinking in check. Sure, that eggnog is AWESOME, but even if it’s a “light” version, the addition of a shot of rum will up the caloric ante by almost 100 calories, not to mention cause dehydration.
4. Find ways to exercise. It isn’t always easy to hit the gym or find time to jump on the treadmill when you’re overwhelmed with the commitments of the season. Luckily, opportunities for exercise are hidden everywhere — it just takes a little savvy to figure out where they’re lurking. If you tend to take the elevator, use the stairs instead. Unless you’re picking up a lot of items, use a handbasket instead of a cart at the grocery or variety store. Park a few spaces further away from the door (minding safety, of course) to get those extra steps in.
5. Stay hydrated. When it’s cold, it’s less likely that you’ll be thirsty. Try to remind yourself to drink water regularly throughout the day. Your skin and other tissues need to receive proper hydration to stay supple, properly shed toxins and protect you against the cold.
6. Join accountability groups. Facebook and other social venues offer opportunities to join up with others and help encourage one another to stay on track towards fitness and wellness goals.

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Devin C. Hughes, is a highly sought after speaker, author, happiness muse, mindfulness trainer & executive coach. He is the author of seven books and his approach draws from the science of positive psychology, positive organizational research, appreciative inquiry, neuroscience, mindset and mindfulness.