How to Reset Your Fitness Clock After the Holidays

The holidays are great for a lot of reasons: reconnecting with family and friends, relaxing with a few extra days off, and of course sharing delicious food with our loved ones. But the holidays are likewise not great for fitness routines: chaotic schedules, travel, and all that delicious food can wreak havoc on even the most dedicated enthusiast.

Never fear: it’s easier to get back on track in 2019 than you might think. Just follow a few steps to get your head in the right place.

‍Set small goals. It’s probably been a few weeks since you were last in your local gym. That’s okay. Start slow and ease yourself back into your old routines. If you used to jog 5 miles a day on the treadmill, start with 3. If you typically attend 3 group fitness classes a week, start with 1 or 2. Once you get comfortable in your old habits (and shake off all the rust), you can ramp it up to your old routine.

‍Use the buddy system. Nothing helps like an accountability buddy. Take a moment to read our blog post on the benefits of pairing up with a workout buddy. In short: accountability buddies motivate you to stay on track and help you burn off stress at an accelerated rate, meaning you’re more likely to workout and to get more out of your workout when you go.

‍Cut out easy calories. This may be the easiest and hardest item on the list. During the holidays, it’s likely you had a little bit more of everything: cocktails, meals, lattes, and other delicious comfort foods. It’s time to scale back. More lattes, more cocktails, and more helpings add up to a lot of calories fast, and you won’t miss them when they’re gone – promise. Need some ideas? Go with green juice instead of coffee. If that’s too much of a change, maybe try green tea. And if you absolutely must have that latte, switch from dairy to nut milk. Little tweaks and changes can go a long way.

‍Be active daily. Obviously, hitting up your local gym to work on cardio or strength training is a great way to stay healthy and active. But the most important thing is to just keep moving every single day. If you can’t make it to Fitness Connection today, take your dog for a walk – or just yourself. Keep moving and keep pushing yourself just a little more every day, and soon you’ll be back to those healthy habits you worked so hard to build before the holidays.

Need a little extra help getting back on track after the holidays? Come in and talk to one of the fitness experts at your local Fitness Connection. We’re excited to help you make 2019 your year of transformation.