Thanksgiving has come and gone but the busy travel season is far from over. Whether you’re a McCallister who leaves home during the holidays (sans Kevin), or you’re a Griswold who ends up hosting out of town relatives, we’ve got some tips for you to stay healthy and active during the most wonderful time of the year.
For the travelers
Maybe you’ll be out of your element being away from the things that make up your routine or you’re feeling forced to eat food that is deemed unhealthy. You might find your usual fitness program in disarray during this time. And what about the traveling? Being stuck seated for a long period does not seem like a joyous time.
- If it’s going to be a long drive or a long flight for you, make sure you get some movement. In road trips, make pit stops not just for bathroom breaks but to stretch your legs. Even do a quick jog in place while waiting for your companions to come back from the break. Movement is important to avoid stiffness and to keep the blood circulating. When stuck in a seat for a long time on the road or in-flight, do a few seated exercises.
- If you’re staying in a hotel, ask at the front desk where the fitness center is when you check in. A lot of hotels have this. It may not be like a Merritt gym with several cardio machines and strength training equipment to choose from, but it should have the basics like a treadmill, elliptical, weights.
- If you’re staying at somebody else’s house and they have some fitness equipment, you’re in luck. If like most houses there’s none of that, bring a few portable exercise equipment (resistance bands, jump rope, etc.) and try to do some at-home workouts. The Merritt Clubs app also has On Demand videos for your convenience.
- If you’re not assigned to cook and you’re just trying to be a polite guest by appreciating whatever food is served, have a strategy in place. When you can’t control what you have to eat, at least control your portion and your time. Eat slowly. Not just to savor each yummy bite, but to prevent overeating. It will be useful to have an app that tracks calories, sugar, sodium, etc.
For the hosts
Compared to travelers, hosts have more options to stay fit and to have more control over staying healthy during the holidays. They’re in their home turf after all. But that doesn’t mean hosting is without its own stressors. Imagine people invading your safe space for a couple of days while keeping them entertained and fed.
- Look for a spot you can spend some time alone and meditate. It can be in your own room or even in a closet. Choose a time that you can commit to each day to do this. If you want to be a good host, this should be at the top of your priority list. Nobody will enjoy the home-cooked breakfast you slaved over in the kitchen if somebody’s being a cranky pants in the house.
- Organize fun activities (funtivities!) that will get everybody moving. If the weather is good enough outside, play touch football in the yard or take a walk to look at how the other houses decorated for the season. Go ice skating or, if there’s snow on the ground, have a snowball fight or a snowman-building contest. If everybody wants to stay indoors, get that video game console out and have a Just Dance battle. Plus, there are many holiday-themed games that will not only get you moving but will have everyone belly-laughing on the floor.
- Prepare delicious but healthy food. There are several ways to tweak holiday food by substituting ingredients and using healthier methods of cooking (i.e. air frying instead of deep frying). Using grandma’s recipe to make gingerbread cookies? Substitute all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour to start off. And don’t be afraid to scour the depths of the interwebs for other healthy holiday recipes. Google is your friend.
- Always keep in mind that things don’t have to be perfect. The air mattress you prepared for the nephew may have deflated. Auntie may have ruined brunch by dropping the family strata (IYKYK). Put out your metaphorical fires calmly. Things happen because nothing is ever perfect. It’s always best to go with the flow and come out of it like a champ.
Whether you are a traveler or a host this holiday season, don’t forget one important thing during this time of the year – have fun! This season only happens once a year. Enjoy the company of family and friends, make new memories, and live in the moment.
