Habits of Fit People: Treat a Holiday Like It's Any Other Day

By , SparkPeople Blogger
You want to be a fit person, right? That's why I'm sharing my own habits for keeping fit and staying healthy in the ongoing Habits of Fit People series.

Here's one that works for me: Treating a holiday like any other day. So why does something like this matter?

With all the food, parties, and social commitments they bring, holidays and other special occasions often cause people to fall off the fitness wagon. Sometimes it's not just a single day either: one bad day can turn into many, especially when temptation lurks around every corner for weeks on end!

That's why fit people treat holidays like any other day. They make time for their workouts, eat moderately, and avoid going overboard on food or undercutting their activity for the day.

Case in point: Even though I was busy hosting and cooking a Thanksgiving feast for 11 last week, I still made time for a 3-mile run that morning (and a Spinning class the day before, and Pilates the day after). Sure, I was busy and a little stressed, and skipping my workout might have been easier. But fitness is a part of my life, no matter what life throws my way, and I know it makes me feel great. Working out on Thanksgiving wasn't an afterthought. It was something that I thought about and planned in advance. And when it came time to enjoy a bounty of delicious foods, I filled my plate once (since that's what I'd do during any other non-holiday meal), and chose the right portions of all my favorites.

Why It Works: When you treat a holiday like any other day, you set yourself up for success. You still get to enjoy the traditions and special foods, but you don't have to feel guilty for doing so. Plus when you make time for fitness, you'll usually think twice before overeating later.

Do you work out and eat healthy on holidays? Or do you have trouble sticking to your fitness and eating habits on special occasions?