Exercise Deficit: Make
It Fit
By Eve Pearson, RD, CSSD, LD, CPT
We all
know that between Thanksgiving and the New Year that exercising starts getting replaced
by company parties and kids' programs at school (the same reasons our good nutritional habits
become questionable). We could really back that up to Halloween because that's
what begins all
the festivities and gets our minds set that we're
about to be on autopilot for the next few months
living our lives
the same way we have been year after year, putting on the extra 8-14 pounds
during the "holiday season." Have you ever taken a step back and looked at exactly what
happens to your life during the next few months? Work gets busy to close the year
out, there are
a lot of activities going on that all involve food
and drink, not to mention the Christmas program
that little Davie
is having. On top of all the chaos, the weather is against us too. Who wants to
work out in the cold?!
This is a time where you have to be strong and schedule workouts in
if that’s what it takes. It
should be treated like a Dr.’s
appointment. It would certainly keep you from seeing less of
him/her.
Set a goal to train for something with a group, join a class, or hire a trainer. At least this
will give you some accountability to just show up. Other ways to incorporate exercise into the
holiday season are shopping at the mall where you have to walk for an extended
amount of time,
get your workouts in before your day begins (yes,
get up earlier than you are now), or get your
family involved in
your goals so they are supportive and may even participate.
If you can commit to at least 4-5 hours (that’s about 40-45
minutes/day OR 1 hour 4-5 days/week)
of exercise each week this
season, you should be able to at least maintain your weight and not
set
you back from the rest of your fitness goals. Make this New Year celebration different that all
the other years. Be productive during the holidays and you won’t have to set weight loss or
exercise goal for your new years resolutions. Use them on something different!
After all, it is
your health we’re talking about.
