Staying Consistent with Your Fitness Routine Over the Holidays

Your holiday workout survival guide

The holiday season can bring its own set of challenges, but that doesn’t mean you should put your health and wellness goals on hold. Staying on track with your fitness and well-being matters, no matter what’s going on around you.

What you expect from yourself plays a big role in your success. You might have all the motivation in the world, but if you set unrealistic expectations, it can backfire. It’s important to remember why you want to stay active, eat well, and maintain your health. If you need a little guidance, here are five tips to help you power through the holidays and set yourself up for success in the new year:

1. Stay motivated in your workouts

Remember, it’s not just about what happens in the gym—it’s about what your body allows you to do every day. All body types are beautiful, and it’s easy to get caught up in gym culture, but focus instead on what your body enables you to do: bending, lifting, moving, and feeling strong. Let that be your motivation to keep working out, no matter where you are.

2. Embrace change

Your goals—and even your body—will evolve over time. And that’s okay! In fact, the key to success is to expect and accept change. The holidays can be hectic, with food temptations, family obligations, and travel potentially disrupting your routine. Stress, fatigue, and even a lack of motivation can creep in. It’s important to stay consistent with your workouts as best you can, eat clean when possible, and keep moving. Fitness should be a steady factor in your life, even when other things change.

3. Be a little selfish

Taking some “me time” every day, even if it’s just an hour or two, will help you feel recharged, happier, and more energized to take on everything else. Make your workout routine a non-negotiable part of your day, and don’t feel guilty for it. Let your loved ones know that this is your time to focus on you, and they’ll be supportive of your commitment to self-care.

4. Listen to your body, not your mind

Your mind can be tricky—it’ll tell you that you’re too tired, too stressed, or too busy to work out. But often, your body is capable of much more than you think. Once you push past those negative thoughts and connect with your body, you’ll break through those mental barriers and realize how much you’re capable of achieving.

5. Keep pushing forward

Sometimes, the key to success is simply to keep moving forward, even when it feels tough. Building that mental and physical resilience during your workouts will carry over into other areas of your life. Soon enough, you’ll start to see yourself as a person who never gives up, which will help you power through even the most challenging times.

Bottom line: Don’t stress!

The holidays may throw some curveballs your way, but you can still stay focused and motivated. Keep moving forward, step by step, and don’t stress about the end result. With a little consistency, you’ll make it through the season and set yourself up for a successful start to the new year.

Dasha L. Anderson is a celebrity trainer and fitness expert in New York City, with a master’s degree in exercise science and sports nutrition and a specialty in performance enhancement and injury prevention. She is also the founder and head certifying instructor of Kettlebell Kickboxing and has contributed to Self, Shape, Fitness Rx, and Epoch Times.