How to Stay on Track With Your Fitness Goals This Holiday Season

The holidays can make it harder to stay consistent with your fitness goals.  Between festive meals, travel plans, and cozy nights by the fire, workouts and healthy eating can easily slip down your list of priorities. But there is good news. You don't need to choose between enjoying the holidays and maintaining your progress. By being mindful and finding balance, you'll continue into the new year making the same progress.

Set Realistic, Flexible Goals

The holidays are not the time to push for a new personal best. It's the time to aim for consistency. Setting smaller goals that fit your lifestyle are the best way to help you stay in shape without feeling overwhelmed.

Think about these goals, like these, that will help you maintain consistency.

• "I'll workout three times this week."
• "I'll take a 20-minute walk each day."
• "I'll have one cup of coffee a day."

Smaller goals are realistic and easier to maintain throughout the holidays.

Plan Ahead During the Holidays

Take some time each week to look at your schedule. Consider which days might be busier and harder to accomplish your goals. Plan your workouts and diet accordingly.

If you're traveling and have no access to workout equipment, consider investing in resistance bands or doing bodyweight exercises. Turn on your favorite workout videos and get to work. 

If you have a big meal or gathering, balance it with more activity in the day or even some lighter meals. A little planning can take you very far.

Stay Active in Everyday Ways

Don't underestimate how much little, everyday movements can be implicated into you day, offering plenty of opportunities to stay active.

Take these for example:

• Enjoy family walks after dinner. They're even good for digestion.
• Experience the cold weather in a fun way. Try ice-skating or another outdoor game.

Small adjustments to your daily schedule can make the biggest difference during the holiday season.

Eat Mindfully, Not Perfectly

Food is a big part of the holiday experience and you should get to enjoy it. The key is to be mindful when it comes to your favorite dishes, not restriction.

Try to savor your meals and listen to your hunger cues when you're satisfied.

Balance Your Nutrition

The idea of "earning" your nutrition or having to "burn off" your means is ancient. Focus on balance in order to enjoy but not over indulge during the holidays.

• Add protein and veggies to your plate.
• Balance out bigger meals with lighter meals.
• Avoid skipping meals. This can lead to overeating later.

Staying on track with your fitness goals can seem like a challenge, but it's about flexibility, balance, and consistency. If you miss a workout or overeat during a meal, don't fret. What counts is your overall pattern.

Enjoy your holiday season, move your body,  and start 2026 feeling strong and refreshed. You should feel proud of yourself for keeping yourself active and healthy during the holidays.