It happens every year. Thanksgiving hits and then we enter a wave of panic. We start sacrificing our workouts for shopping, binging on whatever there is in sight with hopes to reset on New Years Day, or even worse, punishing ourselves for changing our workout routine by not enjoying the most wonderful time of the year. But instead of slipping into old holiday habits, what if this year, from Thanksgiving to New Years, we did something different? Below are some of my ultimate tips for changing your mindset around working out during the Holidays.

Say GOODBYE to the all or nothing mentality

Set away some time each week to exercise. I’ve said this before, but I truly believe that when you schedule in non-negotiable time, and give exercise the priority it deserves, you find a way to get it done. This includes rest days. Now I’m not saying give up important events and traditions. If you know that you have family coming to stay with you, instead of stressing about it, workout before they come and plan your rest day when they are there. I have one client who likes to workout on the weekend mornings when her in-laws come to town before they wake up.

That being said, if scheduled workouts don’t happen according to plan, don’t throw in the towel until 2022. Acknowledge what took priority that day and move on. Most importantly, find what works for you. It’s time to trash this idea that if you miss a day or two that you have to have this serious reboot come Jan. 1.

Resolutions can happen anytime

Resolutions can be made any day or time of the week, if they have these two very important pieces.

1. You have to have a specific purpose for your resolution. Instead of “I’ll lose weight in January and eat clean” set a goal like, “I’d like to up my workouts from 3 days per week to 4.” OR, “I’d like to make it through an entire Megaformer 1:1 workout without dropping planks to my knees”. Specific goals allow you to track progress and see change without becoming unattached like generic goals of “workout”.

2. Stay positive. The idea of “losing weight” means you have to take away something to achieve it. Instead create goals like, “build strength” or “add yellow springs to the arms section”. Punishing yourself with negative language rarely makes it stick

Exercising reduces stress

I’ve been there, family is coming to the house and there are a number of things left to “clean”. Instead of allowing myself to stress before I start, I go and workout. Sometimes my partner even tells me to go on the Mega or for a run around the block when I’m in too deep to the to-do list of the day. That’s because exercise instantly reduces stress. So if you know a situation that stresses you out is coming, plan a workout ahead of time. It will help put you in the right mindset to get done what you need to accomplish.

Enjoy the Holidays

This one seems silly, but it’s the most important. Spend every minute you can with the people you love, enjoying the foods, events, and things you love. Core (LP) will be here to help accommodate your changing holiday schedules.

What are some of your favorite ways to protect workout time during the Holiday season? Tell us in the comments.