Fit and Festive: Staying Active During the Holidays
The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness, but it can also be a challenging period for those of us on a fitness journey. With tempting treats, colder weather, and a busier schedule, it’s easy to fall off track. However, with the right mindset and strategies, you can maintain your fitness motivation while enjoying the festivities! Let’s explore how to stay motivated and on track with your fitness goals during the holiday season.
1. Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals
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One of the first steps to staying motivated is to set realistic expectations for your fitness routine, especially during the holidays! Understand that your schedule may be more hectic and it’s okay to adjust your goals accordingly. We can begin to adjust our goals by using S.M.A.R.T. goals. What are S.M.A.R.T. goals?
a. SPECIFIC - Goals should be clear and well-defined, leaving no room for ambiguity.
b. MEASURABLE - Goals should be quantifiable, allowing you to track your progress and determine when you've successfully achieve them.
c. ACHIEVABLE - Goals should be realistic and attainable, taking into consideration your resources and time.
d. REALISTIC - Work on goals that can be realistically achieved given the available resources and time.
e. TIMELY - Goals should have a specific time frame or deadline.
By working through S.M.A.R.T. goals, we can better understand what we want to achieve and have a clear roadmap on how to do so. This will help us be more precise about what we aim to do and stay on track!
2. Meal Planning and Prepping
Meal prepping during the holiday season is a secret weapon for staying active and healthy. By planning and preparing nutritious meals in advance, you can better resist the temptation of indulgent treats and maintain the energy to enjoy physical activities. With prepped meals, you'll have more time for workouts, winter walks, and festive fun, ensuring that you stay on track with your fitness goals while savoring the holiday spirit.
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Here are some foods to consider in your meal prep:
Lean proteins: Chicken, beef, pork, turkey, seafood, eggs, and tofu.
Whole grains: Brown rice, oats, buckwheat, quinoa, and barley.
Vegetables: Carrots, broccoli, onions, bell pepper, cauliflower, and green beans.
Legumes: Beans, chickpeas, lentils, and peas.
3. Find an Accountability Partner
Consider teaming up with a workout buddy who shares your fitness goals. Having someone to hold you accountable can make a significant difference in staying motivated. That’s why we hold our holiday challenge every year at IBX! We will help you stay motivated and accountable for reaching your fitness goals.
We know the end of the year and holiday season is coming up soon and Team IBX is ready to support you in continuing to find your fit(ness) up into the new year!!
This is a Member Exclusive Challenge! If you are a Member and are ready for some extra accountability. Grab a buddy and email Team IBX to save your spots for our 2023 Holiday Challenge!
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CHALLENGES: for 5 days in any given week (can be any 5 of your choosing), each participant must do at a minimum 1 of the following:
- Drink 8 cups of water
- Read 10+ pages of a book
- Do a workout (at IBX or elsewhere)
- Spend 10+ minutes outside
- Eat a meal where 50%+ of the plate is veggies
PROOF: You must post on your Instagram and tag IBX in your post/story/reel to count as proof. If you do not have Instagram, then you can post in the social feed of the IBX app.
Sign-ups are open now! Email Team IBX at info@ibxfitness.com or check-in with your coaches before or after class!
By setting S.M.A.R.T. goals, prepping some meals in advance, and finding an accountability partner can make all the difference in keeping you on the track for success during a more hectic time. The holidays are meant to be enjoyed and by making more time for ourselves, and prioritizing our health, we can absolutely stay fit and festive!