For fitness guru and novice gym-goer alike, the holiday season carries many delicious meals, soul-loving family time, and a slight underlying anxiety about losing gains and undoing all the hard work you’ve put in over the warmer months. While it’s normal to feel this way, it doesn’t have to be difficult to keep in shape throughout the holiday season. A few tricks here and there can help you to feel happy, confident, and yes, even satisfied as you navigate trips, parties, and indulging with skill. The key is reinforcing your good habits, while still being flexible enough to be the life of the party (no, we’re not talking about the Stretch Series here). Try these tips to make it through the holiday season the same healthy, strong, you!

Make Time to Move

When you’re at home and have a set routine, it’s easier to get your workout in because it’s built into your day. When you’re traveling, staying at a hotel or with relatives, and don’t know your way around, it’s easy to fall out of your routine and skip a workout, or three, or ten. But remember how good it feels after you crush your workout? You’re powered up for anything else coming your way. When you’re out of town, make sure you carve out a piece of the day to move, even if it’s just a walk. Any movement is better than no movement. The GymnasticBodies Online Courses have loads of options that require minimal equipment as well as follow-along videos to make decision making easy, but you could also opt to try out a local gym, or go on a sight-seeing jog of the city. Keeping things fresh will motivate you to get a move on and help you maintain your fitness even while traveling!

The GB Online Courses include follow-along workouts to keep you moving wherever life takes you!

Active Family Time

Family time often means going to a movie, watching a ball game, or eating a meal together. Opt for a change this season. Suggest alternatives that get everyone out and moving. Maybe it’s heading to the park to play a game together or to toss a Frisbee. It could even be a walk around downtown to check out the local shops. If the weather's not cooperating with your plans, playing racquetball or going to an indoor pool could provide a healthy dose of activity that the whole family will enjoy! Remember, families that play together, stay together!

Call Upon Your GB Fitness Community

If you’re just the “crazy health nut” of your family and it’s impossible to convince your happy-go-lucky brother that a jog is better for him than another brew, remember your online community of support. We are here just to remind you that yes, other people do value their health, and yes, you can keep up with your lifestyle even in the face of endless cocktails and desserts galore. Share a workout pic with your gym-buddy from home, or even plan to do the same workouts while you are apart so you have someone to keep you accountable.

Check the online forum to keep up with new information and workout ideas from other GB members or submit a forum check or two that you never got around to during your busy work weeks. Show off your fitness skills and get your family involved by having someone video you doing an exercise and post it on your social media account, or check out the hashtag #gymnasticbodies on Instagram to see how other GB students are getting creative with their workouts over the holiday. We are here through the season to help you keep training hard and feeling good, so please check in, post your fun workout videos, and let us know how your training is going!

Bring a Healthy Dish

Worried that there won’t be anything you’ll want to eat at the party you’re going to? One way to combat that stress and ensure you’ll be satisfied is volunteer to bring your favorite healthy dish. Believe us, you won’t be the only one grateful to have a healthy alternative to the other delicious but health-sabotaging choices available. If the celebration isn’t pot-luck friendly enough, consider eating a healthy meal before you go. That way, you’ll feel less like binging on sugar cookies and can just enjoy the company.

Eat the Pie

When all else fails, it’s important to remember that one night of indulgence isn’t going to ruin your progress, just like one day of training didn’t get you to the point you’re at now. It’s totally okay (and yes, even healthy!) to let loose a bit and enjoy yourself. After all, the holidays are supposed to be a fun and relaxing time. So, if you wait the entire year just to have a piece of your aunt’s famous pumpkin pie, don’t hold back. Take a day off, enjoy your pie, and reflect on how nice it is to have a little balance in your life. With all the hard work you put in, you deserve it!

What other tricks do you use to keep on top of your health throughout the holiday season? Share with us below or tag us (#gymnasticbodies) on Instagram! If you’re searching for the perfect gift, why not give your loved one the gift of well-being with the GymnasticBodies Online Courses? Then, next year, you can have a new workout buddy to share the holidays with! Stay merry, bright and fit, my friends.