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The holidays are best known for family gatherings, delicious foods, parties, and traditions. Don’t let all of your hard work go to waste; make sure that you continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle, even if that means working out a little harder and changing a few of your eating habits.
*Related: 16 Ways to Burn Calories without Going to the Gym
“It can be a chore to avoid putting on those extra lbs over the holidays; getting to the gym becomes more difficult,” says Carmen Shawn, ISSA Certified Trainerize Trainer and Pro Fitness Model. Fortunately, there are plenty of gym-free ways to stay fit during the holidays.
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The holidays are best known for family gatherings, delicious foods, parties, and traditions. Don’t let all of your hard work go to waste; make sure that you continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle, even if that means working out a little harder and changing a few of your eating habits.
*Related: 16 Ways to Burn Calories without Going to the Gym
“It can be a chore to avoid putting on those extra lbs over the holidays; getting to the gym becomes more difficult,” says Carmen Shawn, ISSA Certified Trainerize Trainer and Pro Fitness Model. Fortunately, there are plenty of gym-free ways to stay fit during the holidays.
Experience a winter wonderland. “There are so many great parks to hike and snowshoe in,” explains Carmen Shawn, ISSA Certified Trainerize Trainer and Pro Fitness Model. “The snow makes the hike more like a power hike.” Snowshoeing is also a great option, it’s “a tough activity that gets the heart rate up and works the legs,” she adds.
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“Set a goal that makes you want to keep on track,” Shawn says. “Whether it is a photoshoot, get together with friends you haven’t seen in a long time or you want to fit into an outfit you just bought!”
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Buy a new outfit that you can rock for New Year’s Eve, Shawn says. “This is a great way to keep you from nibbling on sugar cookies and drinking egg nog!”
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“We all attend parties or events over the holidays that have music playing,” Shawn says. Don’t be shy, get moving, have fun, and enjoy the dance party.
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The holiday season is definitely the time of year for baked goods. But who says you can’t bake healthy? Shawn says “there are so many options for baking healthy; grab yourself a healthy baking cookbook or replace some ingredients with healthier options.”
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Have fun with your family, burn calories, and work out together. “Find yourself an online trainer that is using Trainerize.com,” Shawn says. “Use the Trainerize app to connect with a trainer and get fun, customized workouts your whole family can do together at home.” Also “use the app to receive meal plans and work with a trainer one-on-one to track progress and meet your holiday fitness goals,” she adds.
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“Eat a high protein, high fat meal before going to a party or event,” Shawn says. “The protein and fat help stabilize blood sugar and will fill you up. You will have fewer cravings and won’t feel like eating all the sugary foods.”
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This is another great trick that is so simple, Shawn says. “Don’t stand in the kitchen or beside the food table.” If you are near the food you will likely find yourself nibbling on it to the point of being stuffed, she adds.
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Shawn says it is important to “keep alcohol to a minimum.” You can do this by offering to be the designated driver. However, if you do drink, make sure that you choose drinks without fruit juices, she adds. “Drinks like egg nog and beers are packed full of calories!”
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“When getting food use a small plate,” Shawn explains. “It will look like a lot of food when it is not.” Make sure that you form a habit of choosing veggies and fruit, and then one or two treats you know you will really enjoy, she adds. “Don’t eat just to eat.”
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Bringing healthy dishes to your holiday parties is a great way to stay on track. Ask a friend or two to do the same, this way you will be able to keep your eating lighter with a variety of choices, Shawn says.
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“Go shopping or just window shop,” Shawn says. You can easily spend hours in a mall just walking around. It is a “great way to get exercise in and enjoy festivities the mall offers during the Holiday season,” she adds.
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Take some time to yourself, relax, and just breathe. “Ask your trainer to give you a yoga workout that you can access via trainerize.com,” Shawn says. “The holidays can be stressful. Yoga gives you relaxation and can be a great workout as well. Namaste!”
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“I don’t mean scrabble,” Shawn says. “Get the Wii out, or the Twister board – yes, Twister! It’s a classic game that requires a lot of movement!” Wii also offers plenty of fun activities you can do alone or together with your entire family, she adds.
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For those of you who dread the same everyday workout routine, group fitness classes will not disappoint. It’s the perfect way to meet individuals with the same interests as you and maybe even make a few new friends. Some of the best group fitness classes of 2016 include spinning, barre, CKO kickboxing, and Orange Theory Fitness.