The holiday season is a time for joy, celebrations, and spending time with family and friends. It is also a time for indulging in delicious and tempting treats that seem to be everywhere we go.

Diet and exercise routines are typically sidelined, and for many of us, it results in extra pounds. But don’t let holiday festivities and delicious treats get in the way of your fitness goals.

1) Stick to a Holiday Eating Plan

Holiday eating plans can help you set healthy eating habits during the holiday season. Planning your meals ahead of time will also help reduce the temptation to grab unhealthy food. Start by setting aside time to prepare and plan your meals for the week.

Consider including vegetables, low-calorie foods, and lean protein in your diet. These foods can help you stay full throughout the day and prevent overeating during meals.

2) Stay Hydrated

Drinking ample amounts of water is important at any time of year, but it can be especially important during the holiday season when we tend to indulge in a lot of sugary drinks.

Drinking plenty of water will help curb your appetite, keep you feeling full, and help your body stay hydrated.

3) Exercise Regularly

It’s easy to skip your regular exercise routine during the holiday season, but that’s not an excuse to avoid physical activity altogether.

Try to make time for a 30- to 45-minute workout each day, whether it’s a quick run or walk around your neighborhood, or a more structured exercise routine that you can do at home or at a local gym. Regular exercise will help keep your metabolism up and burn off extra calories.

4) Limit Alcohol Consumption

Alcoholic drinks are filled with calories and can quickly add up if you’re not careful. Instead of drinking beer, wine, or cocktails, try to stick to one or two low-calorie drinks each day, such as red wine, a glass of champagne, or a light beer.

This can help you save hundreds of calories throughout the week.

5) Avoid Snacking All Day

The holiday season provides endless opportunities to snack throughout the day. Everywhere you turn, there’s a dish of cookies, a plate of chips, or a bowl of candy tempting you.

To avoid the temptation of snacking all day, try to limit your snacking to one or two healthy options. Consider snacking on vegetables, fruit, nuts, or low-fat cheese.

6) Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. During the busy holiday season, make sure you get at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night.

Sleep helps your body recover and gives you the energy you need to tackle your day-to-day activities. Lack of sleep can lead to weight gain and make you feel less motivated for an early morning workout session.

7) Keep Healthy Options on Hand

It’s essential to have healthy options always on hand, so when the hunger strikes or the cravings happen, you have proper alternatives to reach for.

Stock up your fridge and pantry with healthy snacks that keep you full for hours without packing on unwanted pounds. Consider veggie sticks, fruit, unsalted almonds, and a variety of tea to keep you on track, and help keep the holiday pounds away.

8) Indulge in Moderation

The most crucial part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle is balance. It’s okay to indulge in festive and delicious treats- this is what the holidays are all about, after all. But it is essential to indulge in moderation.

Enjoy your treats without going overboard to avoid feeling guilty or piling on extra pounds.

9) Don’t Skip Meals

Skipping meals might seem like a good idea to save up for a big feast, but unfortunately, it does not work that way. Skipping meals can leave you hungry and cause overeating when you finally sit down for your next meal.

Try to eat regular meals throughout the day to keep you fuller longer and avoid the urge to eat everything in sight once a meal presents itself.

10) Stay Accountable

Staying accountable for your health and fitness goals can help you stay motivated during the holiday season. Consider meeting with a personal trainer or reaching out to a friend with the same goals as you.

Set up check-ins and workouts to keep each other accountable. Tracking what you eat and tracking your workouts are also great ways to stay on track with your holiday fitness goals.

Conclusion

The holiday season is a great time to celebrate the end of the year with family and friends. However, it is also a time when unwanted pounds can creep up quickly. Fortunately, with a little planning and effort, you can keep this from happening.

Use these ten tips to stay focused on your health and fitness goals, and keep the holiday pounds away. Make healthy choices, be active, indulge in moderation, and enjoy the holiday season.