Holiday Tips for Staying Fit

Hello all! I'm still trying to figure out how often to blog and have been super busy!

Tina's Best Body Bootcamp has been great. It's been more difficult to fit in the longer workouts for strength training so I've just been doing the best I can, but I'm excited to get sweating a lot before Thanksgiving. The isometric hold sets were killer, but I love challenging myself to use heavier weights, even if it's just for 1/3 sets.  I can't wait to kick it into high gear for the holidays!

 I've also been trying to do a Whole 30 challenge this month also where you eat all whole unprocessed foods on a paleo diet (no grains, no dairy, no sugar, etc.).  I've cheated a bunch, mostly with a couple glasses of wine or beer. I'm not losing weight really, probably due to the cheating.  I have noticed a lot less bloating though.  I also have IBS (sorry TMI) and not eating any grains or essentially being gluten-free has helped A LOT.  That is probably the best thing I've learned from this challenge. I knew if I made it a pass/fail challenge on myself I'd feel awful so I've been focusing on being conscious of what/how much I eat and hopefully going to take it up a notch after Thanksgiving. I am determined to lose 5 pounds by Christmas and feel GREAT for New Years!

Since Thanksgiving is coming up I thought I'd share some of my holiday tips for staying fit.

1. Limit drinking.

My alcoholic drink of choice is two glasses of red wine or a vodka/club soda with lime. I also like the vodka/club combination because if you drink just club/lime in between, nobody knows or will ask why you're not drinking.  It's not just alcohol but all the holiday punches, hot chocolate, and Starbucks peppermint mocha lattes to watch out for.  I always try to go for a skinny latte at Starbucks and just limit myself to small glasses or tastings of high sugar/calorie liquids!

2. Buy a new outfit!

I'm going to buy a really cute sparkly dress for New Years and a cute dress for Christmas that I want to look fabulous in.  I'll leaving it hanging on my closet door so I see it as a reminder every day.

I'm thinking this dress for Christmas-SO cute!


3. Bring something you want to eat to a party!

I love baking and making really awesome sweet treats.  We all know sweet treats and indulgent foods are happening almost every week from Thanksgiving to Christmas due to all of the parties and get togethers.  My usual strategy is to make a delicious sweet treat but also bring something more healthy such as a lightened up spinach dip or fruit salad.  People appreciate the unique dish (I mean who really needs 5 plates of box cookies and brownies!) and then you know there is something that is healthy for you to snack on too!

4. Most of all, enjoy in moderation!
This is such a cliche, but I believe in treating myself.  I know because I indulge in sweets and alcohol, I'm never going to have the fitness model body but enjoying time with friends and family and good food is important to me, especially around the holidays.  I always just try to fit a workout in, drink lots of water, and make sure I'm eating enough protein and veggies.

Please comment if you have any other tips for the holiday season or really great recipes you'd love to share!