The holidays are quickly approaching. While this is always a fun time of year, this is also notoriously a difficult time of the year for staying on track for your health and fitness goals. Between Thanksgiving feasts, Christmas parties, and all the delicious treats, it’s very easy to let your goals fall to the wayside until the new year. 

We’ve put together some helpful tips to help you stay on track during this tough season. Don’t skip a beat heading into 2024. 

5 tips to stay on track: 

1. Hit your workouts early. Especially when you have family in town visiting, and there are lots of activities planned- the last thing you will want to do is miss out on those moments to work out. Instead try to wake up early, get your workout done, and be ready to spend time with family and friends the rest of the day. 

2. Make a plan. If you know you are heading to two holiday parties this weekend, then try to plan your meals that day leading up to the parties so that you know you’ll spend the majority of your day making good choices. If you don’t think you will have healthy options at the party, make a healthy dish to bring! Pro tip: eat a healthy and well balanced meal before you go to these parties: going into parties hungry will set you up to post up at the snack table and eat alllll the things. 

3. Focus on hydrating. With the holiday season and being surrounded by family constantly, alcohol can play a huge role in getting off track. If you choose to partake, make sure you are setting a limit to how much you indulge. Give yourself a drink limit, and try in between each beverage to have a large glass of water. This will help you stay hydrated, and slow down alcohol consumption. Staying hydrated will make you feel better, and help you avoid empty eating. 

4. Don’t be afraid to say no. If you need a break from holiday parties, booze, cookies, and you are feeling drained from the holiday season: don’t be afraid to say no. Protect your boundaries and don’t feel obligated to participate in holiday shenanigans if it’s not making you happy. Or, go to the festivities, but partake in the way you want. Just because others are in holiday mode doesn’t mean you have to be. You have sh*t to do. 

5. Find a balance. The holidays are supposed to be enjoyable: so enjoy them! Find that balance where you don’t completely fall off track, but you also feel like you didn’t miss out. Be okay with the occasional splurge and enjoy the time with your family, as long as you are practicing some sort of moderation you will still be able to stay on track.