Tip of the Day: Home for the Holidays

As we enter into another holiday season, it is easy to slip out of the healthy habits that we have worked so hard to establish throughout the year. This can be a breakup of the normal workout routine, or even more common, a drastic change in the way we eat! But the thing that is important to remember is that while they may not be the best health practices, we can still have a little fun without giving up all that we have achieved. Often times, especially when we are still working on establishing a routine, a hiccup in the road can knock us off course and we feel that if we already messed up, then why even bother trying. The problem here, however, is not that we failed to maintain our routine, but that we look at the whole concept of health as a finite goal. We feel as if we need to lose 10 pounds, or build a little more strength in our leg or arm, and then everything will be better. When our goals are structured like this, we fail to realize that health and fitness are not an end in themselves, but rather a means to a long and enjoyable life. So what is the point of being fitness crazy if you cannot enjoy all that the holidays have to offer??

So, as we all recover from our Thanksgiving feasts, do not feel guilty or shameful if you overindulged a little. The best thing you can do is to enjoy the feasts, go back to your normal routine in between, and stay active as much as time allows. There is no reason that you cannot have some time to yourself to exercise during the week—it is healthy not only for your body, but also for you mind, especially during a time of year that many people find stressful. So good luck as we start off the holiday season, and remember, health is all about balance, and sometimes, the healthy thing to do is to have another slice of pumpkin pie!

-Colin