5 Tips For Staying Active and Healthy This Holiday Season

Many people find the holidays both amazing and guilt-ridden. With so many delicious options for comfort food, it’s not as tough as you might think to find food that’s both fulfilling and nourishing. Believe it or not, there are ways to enjoy yourself while remaining active and healthy during the holidays. It is all about balance and having a plan in place. Follow these five tips for staying active and healthy this holiday season.

Keep active

Avoid the temptation of sitting all day. Studies show that getting up for five minutes every 30 to 60 minutes and performing light activity reduces the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Instead, make a habit of incorporating some activity into your daily routine. A great way to do this is walking. Park a little further away and walk to your destination. Walk the dog an extra 15 minutes. Adopting these simple practices can keep you heart-healthy for the holidays.

Remember, it doesn’t have to be 'all or nothing'

We oftentimes develop an ‘all or nothing’ mentality when it comes to healthy eating and physical activity. It is easier to get overwhelmed with this outlook, especially during the holidays. There are multiple ways to live healthfully and be active. Become creative with your exercise and make it an activity. When it comes to food, remember that it is all about balance.

Eat healthy

Speaking of balance, you can enjoy your favorite foods even if they are high in calories, saturated fat or added sugars. However, the key is to eat them only occasionally and in smaller portions while balancing them out with healthy food. Reserve the treats for the actual holiday.

Plan fun activities

Many people primarily focus on food during the holidays. Instead, encourage family and friends to join you in some fun physical activities. Go ice-skating, decorate your house or walk around the neighborhood to see holiday lights.

Go easy on yourself

Holiday eating and activity may stress you out, but don’t be too hard on yourself. It is important to relax and enjoy this time with family and friends. Overindulging a bit during the holidays is normal and does not mean you have to beat yourself up. If you slip, recover by picking back up your healthy eating and exercise habits and moving on. Following these simple tips will ensure you have a healthy season. Just remember to not overthink it and to listen to your body.

Ballet Body by Jasmin will be closed for the holidays from 12/18/17 to 1/6/18. Also, just a reminder that Sunday classes are now from 3pm to 4pm. Any questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out!