Whether we want to face it or not, winter is upon us! The most important time of the year where we get to spend time with family and friends and don’t have to stress about school, at least for three weeks. Not to mention it’s the coziest season of them all- the Christmas spirit, snuggling up and watching movies while drinking hot cocoa and eating all of your mom’s Christmas cookies. Being at home and not having a set schedule everyday can have a serious impact on your exercise routine and your eating habits. Before you know it, it’s time for spring break and you dread trying on swim suits because of the winter weight gain. Not this year, ladies! Follow these simple tips to have a fun, delicious, and healthy winter break, without the guilt!
1. Hit the Gym
Of course, the most obvious tip, exercise. For some of us, going to the gym at school is easier since it’s accessible and we don’t have a monthly payment or a contract. Luckily, many gyms offer college student deals and discounts for when they come home on break, so make sure you ask your local gym what they offer for students! Another tip for hitting the gym while home on break, add it into your routine when you’re already out running errands. It’s way easier to commit to going to the gym if you go while you’re already out doing your Christmas shopping. And once you’re home, you can be done for the day! It also helps to work out in the morning. It wakes you up, helps you feel refreshed and ready to tackle the day. Oh and by the way, ANY workout, is better than none at all. Ten minutes or an hour, you should be proud!
2. Stay Busy
Staying busy with winter activities helps to keep you from sitting at home and snacking all day. There are so many fun winter activities to take part in that will keep you moving. You can check out our personal list of winter activities here.
3. Eat Before Attending Parties
To avoid binge eating at parties, have a light snack or meal at home before attending. The worst advice someone can give to you is to completely eliminate all unhealthy foods, especially during a holiday. However, this tip will just help you eat your favorite Christmas meal in moderation.
4. Keep Track of Alcohol Intake
This is probably one of the most difficult tips. Everyone is home from school and we all want to get together and have fun, where alcohol is usually involved. Again, you can’t cut off all your guilty pleasures. Just keep the alcohol in moderation! Maybe only go out on the weekends or a few nights a week. Another thing that comes along with drinking late is drunk eating (we’re all guilty of those late night Taco Bell trips). You can avoid the late night munchies by eating something that will fill you up before you go out to a party!
5. Purchase a Fitness Tracker
So I recently purchased a Fitbit and I’m obsessed with it! Fitness trackers are awesome because they really push you to meet daily goals and really encourage you to hit the gym or go on a run. They all range in price starting as low as $40! I bought the Fit bit Charge HR, which is in the middle price range, and it’s really pushed me to stay fit, even if it’s taking the steps instead of the elevator. Here is a good article about all the different types of fitness trackers offered!
6. Sleep
A college student’s favorite thing to do, sleep! The amount of sleep you get every night actually has a huge impact on your weight. I can be a personal testimony when I say I am way more likely to work out and stick to working out when I’ve gotten the full eight hours of sleep. When I only get five or six hours I feel way too sluggish and even if I do make it to the gym, I yawn the whole time and usually end up leaving sooner than I wish.