Holidays Make Me Lazy

It seems that in the United States the “Holiday Season” starts on Halloween and stops around January 4th after every bit of the left overs are eaten and all fancy drinks are swallowed.  It also happens that that span of time is the time of year where weather gets cooler, people stay in more often, the light is more scarce, and new television shows are sprouting up. All of which culminate into a formula for less exercise and more eating of goods not so good-for-you.

I for one start my days off slower and my nights are lazier.  I love listening to Christmas music and staring at the tree.  Or planning Holiday recipe baking.  Or just looking at ideas for Holiday centerpieces I am sure I’ll never actually create but, man, don’t they look amazing!  Add this time management neglect to the baking of all things delicious and you have a recipe for a squishy, sleepy body.

So, how do you beat this “Holiday Slide” into feeling less and less motivated to treat your body right?

First off, recognize that not all treats are created equal.  If you sit back and consider what you really remember about Holiday eating you can think of a few special items that beckon you back to Yester-year.  Or the “one thing” that creates fun memories year after year.  Stick to those items when you are planning out (yes… PLANNING) your list of “must haves”.

Secondly, accept the fact that you must move in order to improve muscle tone.  Sitting on the couch under a warm blanket with a cup of cocoa watching The Biggest Loser will not, in fact, help you build muscle definition or increase your endurance.  (Trust me, I’ve tried).

Finally, find ways to motivate yourself.  With snow on the ground and holiday parties on every corner – not to mention baking, card mailing, and decorating – getting up and getting out to exercise is often an uphill battle for all.  So, pull out that Holiday dress or pick out a new pair of running shoes and set a goal.  Motivate yourself to put in your P90x or get to the YMCA with things you see and goals you set for your self.  Not “easy” goals like “get out of bed” or radical ones like “lose six pounds in a week” but ones which will challenge you and keep you running toward them.  (Here are some guidelines to help you get started!)

Remember, Holiday traditions are great but the tradition of neglecting what your body needs is one we can all learn to never celebrate again!