By Sara Lynn Baker, MS, CSCS
Tis the season for holiday gatherings, busyness and stress; which often leads to a lack of priority on our health and well-being. Though we are still in a pandemic, holiday travel, parties and get-togethers in many cases are back this year. Along with the holidays often comes end of year work projects, kids on holiday break and an overall change in routines, which leaves little time for consistent exercise and a solid nutrition plan.
Our society tends to have an all-or-nothing mindset when it comes to exercise and nutrition. We are either on, working out fairly hard most days of the week while eating chicken breasts and asparagus or off, and forgoing exercise and eating everything we want.
However, consistency beats perfection. Every time. You will likely get more results (or at least maintain) during this time of year by being consistent. Exercise often, make healthy choices often. Do not strive for perfection. Perfection is an unrealized idea.
How about this year, instead of trying to be perfect, we just try to be consistent? Read below on a few tips on how to stay consistent through this busy time of year.
4. Have some compassion for yourself. The last two years have been hard. For everyone. Though we collectively experienced the pandemic and it affected literally everyone in the world, each person had their own unique grief, loss, anxiety and sadness. The last two years have been unlike anything we have ever experienced. If you feel that you have not made the best food choices or have not been exercising consistently, acknowledge that but move on. Do not berate or shame yourself. Just simply move forward. You do not have to wait until January 1st to go on a walk or to have a healthy meal. Make healthy choices at the next opportunity. Talk to yourself (and others) kindly. Nourishing your body with good food and movement is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Take care of yourself and others.
Wishing very happy and healthy holidays!
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