8 Tips to a Healthy Holiday Season

winterBy Thad Phillips

Are you ready for the food temptations and lack of exercise that typically occurs around the holidays? Read through the tips below to make it through the season without compromising your health.

1. Commit to a plan of action.

Before the holidays sneak up on you, create a plan for incorporating fitness and good nutrition into your daily routine. Evaluate your holiday season and then determine how much time you have available to devote to working out and/or eating healthy.

2. Don’t put your fitness goals on hold until the New Year.

If you can’t exercise as much during the holidays, don’t use the excuse that you will wait until the New Year. Instead, accept the limited time you have and simply reduce the frequency and/or duration of your exercise. It’s much better to reduce the amount of exercise than to completely eliminate it.

3. Schedule your workouts.

Mark them on a calendar and set aside time to complete them. Consider them as important as any other appointment/event.

4. Always commit to some sort of activity.

On days you don’t have time for a complete exercise routine, commit to some sort of activity. Even a brisk 15 minute walk in the morning is better than nothing.

5. Choose wisely and watch the portions.

When you’re at an event you will be tempted to eat everything. Go ahead and indulge in the goodies just reduce the portion sizes.

6. Start with the healthy options.

When you are at an event and they offer vegetables, fruits or lean meats, start with those. The added fiber will create a feeling of being full and curb overindulging.

7. Watch out for the alcoholic beverages.

Most alcoholic beverages contain 200 calories or more per serving. Keep an eye on the amount you consume and if you are impaired you tend to overindulge in bad foods.

8. Be prepared.

Prepping your meals ahead of time will keep healthy food on hand. When you are busy running around during the crazy holiday season having healthy food on hand will eliminate that quick fast food dash.

About the Author:

Thad Phillips is the BaySport Program Director for Apollo Group in Phoenix, AZ. For the past 13 years he has served as the Fitness Director at Apollo Group, managing all aspects of the corporate gym, including creating and overseeing incentive programs, writing and monitoring nutritional programs, and conducting individual personal training. Previous experience includes owning a successful personal training studio, as well as working as a Fitness Director for LA Fitness.

Thad’s credentials include ISSA Level II certifications, and his expertise includes fitness, nutritional counseling and training. Thad has provided nutritional counseling and competition diets for bodybuilding, fitness and figure athletes and has also participated in natural bodybuilding competitions over the last 20 years. In 2008, he placed 1st in Class and 1st Overall in the Best of the West competition, which earned him his professional status as a natural bodybuilder. In 2015, he won his class in the highly competitive Mr. Arizona. Throughout his life, Thad’s dedication and passion has been to help his clients establish fitness goals and to provide them with the knowledge and motivation to achieve those goals and change their lifestyle.

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