Physical activity and the holiday season

Did you know that the average person gains between 5-8 pounds every Christmas? That is a crazy amount of extra calories consumed, but let's face it, we all know it is easy to do.

So now that you know this, are you going to be one of those people that gains 5-8lbs, stays the same, or loses weight even though it's a holiday?

If you really look at it Christmas is just one day. For most people Christmas is a SEASON. They turn it into a whole month event. Read: There is NOTHING wrong with that, as long as you are not using it as an excuse to eat what ever you want for that whole season. You can still celebrate Christmas for a whole month if you want, just don't do it with food! Sure, it is tempting, I'm not pretending for a second it's not -- but are you going to have a game plan for how to handle certain social events in regards to what you put in your mouth? Are you going to enjoy the season any less if you are mindful of what you eat and DON'T put on those extra 5-8 pounds? HECK NO! I'm proof of that. This is my favourite holiday and I LOVE all parts of Christmas, yes even the food, but I enjoy it in moderation. Instead of eating ALL of the Christmas cookies I bake, I will have one, maybe two and give the rest away.

The holidays can be a very stressful time for many people, and today I was on the borderline of a melt down. I was at my limit. We have been working really hard to finish our kitchen renovation, and the dryer broke down, and the baby has been clingy, and so many more reasons that I had just had enough.

My trainer encouraged me to get out and go for a walk. BUT I had SO much to do, when was I going to fit it in? But, I said I would go, so I did. When Rylee woke up we both bundled up and headed off. By the way -- pushing a stroller through slushy snow is quite the work out.

Within 5 minutes of starting the walk I became SO thankful that I had taken the time to go. The fresh air did a world of good and really gave me a chance to step back and think about what was stressing me out, break it down, and focus on what was important. As I was walking I was remembering that during the holidays exercise is usually the FIRST thing to go when people get too busy or stressed. They say (much like I thought today) I don't have time for that. BUT, you need to MAKE the time. Even if it is just 30 minutes a day or 3 times a week, you need to still incorporate it into your schedule through out the WHOLE holiday. 

Even if you can't make it to the gym, spend time outside with your family, take them sledding and walk up the hill, or go for a family walk, or pop in a work out DVD after the kids go to bed. And learn to say "no" sometimes. You can't do everything so maybe you will have to pick and choose what events you attend.

I am SO thankful my trainer cares about my well being and that I did take the hour to go out for a walk today because I was able to step back so I can now move forward and be far more effective than if I had kept running around on auto pilot like a chicken with my head cut off crying because...oh I don't even remember why that is how small and insignificant it was. I was able to remember what my goals are and remind myself that by keep up with my physical activity this Christmas season, not only will I be taking care of myself, but I will be better able to take care of my family. 

On a very similar note tomorrow I am taking a partial me day. Sean and I agreed that I would take one this week and he would take one next week since we have been working so hard on the kitchen and everything else going on.

I am going to sleep in (well as much as I can since I'm pretty sure I lost the ability to sleep in haha). I plan on painting my nails and having a nice long hot shower. I am also going to get my hair cut. A perfect way to spend the day (well the most of the day since I will have to take Rylee when Sean goes to work). 

SO -- to sum up what I have said, take care of yourself this season, don't become a zombie. Take that walk to clear your head, say no to a few parties to give yourself some extra time to get things done, and ENJOY the holidays.

Of course, if you are still too busy during the normal hours of a day, Anytime Fitness in London is literally open 24/7, with crazy good membership deals right now -- so what is the excuse now?! 

Have a safe and healthy holiday season!

My fitness goals

Like many people I have a list of goals that I want to achieve for my life. I have a list of five main goals that are very important to me. Weight and fitness is one of the goals. I'll lay out exactly what my weight/fitness goals are:

Weight:

My first weight goal is to drop 25 more pounds by March 1, 2014 by following the automatic body program and working out.

My second weight goal is to loose 56 more pounds (that includes the 25) and get back to my goal weight. I don't have a dead line for this one as I will set that on March 1st when I have reached my next 25. At this point I should be back into my size 8 clothes which is very average for my height. I have a large bin of basically new clothes waiting for me...calling my name!

My third weight goal is to maintain my goal weight. 

Fitness:

My first fitness goal is to increase my upper body strength.

My second fitness goal is to increase my flexibility.

My third is to tone everywhere in general. Since I have a lot of loose skin it will take some time, but I am confident I can do this.

I also want to pick a physical goal like doing a mini triathlon, or running a race ect. But I don't quite know what I want it to be yet.

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My biggest concern is to get the weight off and focus on living a healthy lifestyle. Which I have already been working on with the automatic body program, making one small change, and weight watchers and have been having good results. Now it's time to kick it up a notch!

I am SUPER excited that I am going to be starting with a personal trainer again. I know when I worked out hard before I felt great. This time will be different though for a few reasons. I am going to be working with a new trainer who has very clear goals for our sessions and what we want to accomplish. He is listening to what I want but will also put in things that he knows will help as well. He is as committed to my goals as I am and will be reliable and consistent. We are going to change up the workouts every time so that we aren't just doing the same exercises or even types of exercises week after week. 

Today we met up as an intro and did my measurements, "starting weight" (starting weight with him, although not my automatic body starting weight) and went over what my goals are and a rough plan. Monday we are going to do our first session so he can see where I am at and make a more detailed plan to follow. I'm really pumped to get started and take my weight loss and fitness goals to the next level. 

He says that we will crush my 25 pound goal -- I'll hold him to it and he'll hold me to it!

So although I really liked my old trainer, it wasn't the right fit. I'm ready to get serious, and my new trainer is ready to help me with that goal.

Follow me on my journey!