How to Stay Fit and Fab During the Holidays

December is a month we all couldn’t get enough of. It is thirty-one days filled with celebrations, abundant feasts, joyful cheers, and refreshing laughs. The last two years or so have been tough on everyone; hence there is that urge to end 2022 the way we would’ve wanted to end 2019, 2020, and 2021. And included in that is the want to indulge in foods that make us feel good, regardless of their nutritional content.

You have all the right to do so. This is a month of celebration, so it is only proper that we make the most of it and do things we don’t normally do. But at the back of our mind, there is that concern about just how much is a healthy amount of food we can only consume to stay in good shape.

The trick lies in knowing what to do, what not to do, what is enough, and what is too much. As soon as today, it is important to start working towards maintaining a healthy and fit body even before the Christmas dinners and New Year’s Eve parties kick off.

Aside from hitting the gym from time to time, there are other great ways to enjoy the holidays while still keeping track of your health and fitness goals. Here are some.

Never think of losing weight; instead, maintain your weight. Losing weight is one of the most, if not the most, common goal of anyone who wants to be in what they consider a good shape, but rarely is it the solution. At times like the holidays where you are invited to gatherings almost every week, it is best to know what’s enough and avoid overeating. This way, you can maintain a healthy weight instead of scrambling to lose the pounds when the season’s over.

Try to eat small portions of food before you leave for parties. Social gatherings are one of the main highlights of the season. It’s the best time to have catch-ups with your loved ones and those you have not seen in a long while. Almost every day, you get messages from extended family members and close acquaintances urging you to join them for dinner or late-night meetups.

That said, you could expect to be greeted by a tableful of different foods for days on end. To avoid consuming way more than the healthy amount, consider eating small portions of food before you leave for the event. This will make you feel a bit full when you’re at the party, allowing you to spend more time on conversations than indulgences

Don’t skip any meals or try banking calories. As it is a month of celebration, December could mean a very hectic schedule. With how busy we are, we tend to miss our meals. If you are in the field of business, you would want to make the most out of this month and take advantage of the public’s desire to get something for the important people in their lives.

So you organize campaigns to attract high sales. But the problem with being too busy to eat is that when you finally get the chance to sit down for a meal, you end up eating way more than usual. We think of it as a reward after a busy week. So we let ourselves give in to temptations and ingest anything we lay our eyes on. But thinking of food as a reward is almost never good. One, it is not a treat but a form of sustenance. Two, it is what your body needs to function; not what your brain needs to feel acknowledged. So always try to eat in moderation, and to achieve that, do not skip your meals. If it so happens that you are caught in a situation where you don’t have any choice but to not have your lunch, if possible, try banking your calories.  

Drink moderately. This is something we all should know. Drinking alcohol can make you feel bloated and sick especially when you have not eaten anything prior to having booze.

Set workout goals and follow an exercise schedule even during the holidays. We all know how difficult it is to push through with workouts when everyone is having a fun time, but this isn’t about that. It is about staying on track and on top of your fitness goals, even during a season like Christmas where everything threatens to  distract you from working out. It is okay to not put as much effort into your workouts during the holidays; doing low-impact exercises instead of the high-intensity ones is all right.

Try fun and seasonal activities. If you have always opted for jogging on the treadmill at home or hitting the gym every now and then, you probably prefer to continue doing so than trying a different kind of activity. But as we all know, the end of the year often entails outdoor fun, vacations, and quick getaways. Turn this to your advantage and try seasonal activities that will still help you stay fit. Try swimming, if it isn’t too cold, or jogging outside. Hiking or trekking is fun as well and it burns more calories than your regular walk, plus you get to see great sights outside of the city. Doing yoga is another great option, or if there’s an ice rink nearby, why not try ice skating? 

Switch up the time of day you work out. If your workouts suddenly feel like a chore, try doing them at a different time of day—who knows, it might give you better results, just like how studying at night has a lot more impact than studying during the day. You can also try to change the environment. If you’re used to working out at home, consider doing it outside or at the gym. It’s all about taking up the courage to do things differently.

Stay hydrated. This is important. Drinking at least eight glasses of water a day keeps illnesses at bay. It also helps boost your motivation to finish the day strong! Even during the holidays when the rave is all about the best dishes, do not forget to drink your water.

Take part in a holiday-themed run or walk. Invite your friends and family to community walks or runs this holiday season. A lot of groups, especially those that advocate for health and wellness, often organize such events at this time of the year, so try signing up. Not only will it keep you in the zone, but it could also be a good way to catch up with friends or make new ones.

Wear a fitness tracker. Strap a fitness tracker on and keep tabs on how well you’re doing. Know your heart rate while at rest or during workouts. Get all the data you need to understand how your body is responding to your runs or walks. Having a fitness smartwatch also lets you know how well your body is recovering after an activity.

Looking for a great smartwatch? Look no further than the Garmin Venu Sq 2.

The Venu Sq 2 Music Edition is something you can rely on on a daily basis. With up to 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and 26 hours in GPS mode, you can do more without the trouble of charging it from time to time. It also comes in a sleek design that goes well with just about any clothing ensemble. The Venu Sq 2 also comes with an AMOLED display and an optional always-on mode that allows you to get a glimpse of your health stats at any time of day. It has a comfortable silicone band, lightweight aluminum bezel, and a corning Gorilla Glass 3 lens that all make it perfect for any type of activity as it isn’t heavy and doesn’t break easily.

When it comes to health tracking, the Venu Sq 2 also offers features you won’t find in any other smartwatch. With it, you can check your heart rate by the hour, monitor your body battery energy, and even keep track of your sleep. It also monitors your stress levels and your period cycle. A pulse OX sensor is also present to keep you informed on your oxygen levels. The Venu Sq 2 also has a hydration tracker that notifies you when it’s already time to drink water. And if you’re feeling lost as to what other workouts you can do, the Venu Sq 2 got you covered with built-in sports apps and preloaded workouts. You can also create one yourself!

The music edition of the Venu Sq 2 comes with an embedded music player that lets you listen to your favorite tracks while you work out. And if you want to share your progress with people who share the same passion for fitness, the Garmin Connect app is the way to go, as it connects you with a community that motivates and inspires you to achieve more milestones.

Understanding your body is more important than anything, especially during this season of celebrations. That’s why it pays to have a trusted partner that helps you stay on top of your goals. With the Garmin Venu Sq 2, you get a fitness smartwatch that is made to move with you and designed to complement your style.