Off the Wagon for the Holidays

It is that time of year. The family comes to town. Its cold and nasty outside. Shopping needs to be done. You are busy. Translation: it is more than likely that this is the time of year when people put their health on the back burner. Its the most wonderful time for making excuses.

Now it may seem like I'm about to go all Grinch plus Jillian Michaels, but hang with me. I am just as guilty of this holiday ritual of ditching my routine, not being active and make poor food choices. The phenomenon is magnified when the rest of the family is in cahoots. Meals are planned, errands are tasked, general over planning takes effect. It seems like the whole holiday season is designed to disrupt even the most determined quest for betterment.

So what are we to do? Are we destined to succumb to wintry setback every year? Is this why we make New Year's resolutions? To signify the end of this multi-week bender of laziness and overeating? I have a better idea.

Here are some ideas that should help keep you (and your family) active and healthy throughout this busy season:

• Short term Goals - Set up small, daily activities for yourself. This can be anything from a walk or run every morning or a set of push ups when you wake up to a scheduled full on workout every day. Make a plan for staying active.
• Mix family time and active time - You aren't the only one who needs to move. Your family and friends are just as busy as you. Make them a part of your plan. Go on group walks. Workout together, kids and adults. My family has started doing this and it is a great bonding experience and you feel better afterward. Everybody wins.
• Upgrade your Trough -  The numerous big meals that occur this time of year can really throw us off our game. Everyone knows about the food coma that inevitably happens after each big meal. It is here that we need to improve our choices. Replace one of any of the half dozen casseroles with vegetables. Offer to plan and prepare one healthy meal. Limit yourself to one night of binging on Nog-based adult beverages.

This is a great time of year. Families come together. We see old friends. Meals are shared, fun is had. But if you are trying to get better every day, now is typically a good time to fall off the wagon. Recognize where you stray and make this year an fun and active.

Jack

PS - Do any of you have favorite holiday traditions that involve family activities? We do a Christmas morning walk every year. Its not the most demanding of exercises but it is something and we do it together. Easy as that.

(Not me)