Christmas is a week away and I’m sitting here by the fire on a snowy day and I’ll admit that I’m feeling rather festive. Merry, even. I know it’s busy and we’re approaching the craziest weekend of the year where last minute shoppers are driving you nuts in the stores and don’t even get me started on the drivers: so I want to know: are you keeping it MERRY this season?
Movement
Are you remembering to move everyday? Maybe it’s just a walk around the block or a 15 minute yoga practice to re-focus yourself. Exercise and movement can boost your energy, improve digestion (who else has eaten too many cookies?), and provides stress relief.
Eating
How many of those cookies did you intend to eat? Did the buffet a your office party knock you off track? It’s ok. Refocus and plan ahead next time. Eat a healthy meal before you go out to a party so hunger won’t lead you to over indulge in treats. Take a page from the Kilted Coaches, and make sure you get a high intense workout in before you decide to enjoy the dessert table. You’re less likely to overdo it if you create a plan and stick to it.
This includes alcohol, too my friends. PSA: please arrange a safe and sober ride home! If you decide to get your festive beverage on, plan ahead and set a limit and make sure you remember to hydrate with water in between rounds and afterwards.
Enjoy the flavours of the season and have fun but set your limits and stay within them.
Realistic
Be realistic and don’t take on a new challenge or new class this time of year. The weather is unpredictable and so is your schedule, so don’t expect more of yourself than what you know you can handle. I decided to run streak through December where I run a minimum of 1km a day everyday: I may not always feel like cracking out 5k but I know without a doubt I can handle 1km. Focus on maintaining your health and fitness this time of year.
Relax
With all the hustle and bustle and wrapping and partying don’t forget to plan downtime! I think so many of us come to dislike the Christmas season because we forget to enjoy it. We get sucked into the commercialism and forget to appreciate the beauty of carols sung by a choir, the excitement in our kids’ faces, and the fun of hanging out with friends and family.
Don’t feel guilty for needing to take time away from all of those friends and family, either. Sometimes we all need a few quiet moments to refocus like taking a hot bath or going to a movie by yourself.
Christmas will happen whether you baked cookies or bought them from the grocery store, so cut yourself some slack and enjoy yourself.
You
You are important enough to be a priority.
You are worthy of health and fitness.
You need to take care of yourself before you can take care of others.
Have a happy and healthy holiday season!
Mindset Events 