Six Holiday Do's and Don'ts for Staying Healthy and Fit

The holidays are coming, and the last thing you want to do is ruin your healthy routine. Even with the new year right around the corner, there is a lot of good food to enjoy, but that doesn't mean you can't stay healthy and fit while still enjoying it. A great way to avoid the average holiday weight gain is to educate yourself and gain as much knowledge as possible before the holidays approach.

Here are six do's and don'ts to staying healthy and fit during the holidays:

Do: Have a Holiday Proof Plan

The holidays mean you likely have more responsibilities or expectations than normal. Especially if you enjoy going to family outings or attending other holiday events, including this in your plan allows you to find the tools you need to prepare yourself. For example, if you know there are certain holiday treats you can't avoid, don't bake them or buy them.

Don't: Skip Your Normal Routines

While having a holiday-proof plan is important, you want to make sure it follows your normal routine as much as possible. Meaning doesn't skip meals or start a new diet journey when the holidays first get started. The extra temptations and activities often experienced around the holidays will only make it harder to get started. So instead, focus on maintenance.

Do: Get Moving as Much as Possible

Just because you are with family or other loved ones doesn't mean you can't incorporate physical activity. It doesn't need to be rigorous either. A simple walk around the park or participating in holiday activities like ice skating is enough to help burn the extra calories you consume.

Don't: Overcrowd Your Plate

A great trick to portion control is not to fill up your plate. Just because your plate is large doesn't mean it needs to be full. Instead, strive for one serving size for each food category you would like to enjoy. Remember, today's plates are about 30 percent larger than your grandma's plates.

Do: Stay Hydrated

Drink water whenever possible. If you have yet to reach your daily required water intake at any point throughout the day, stop and drink a small glass of water. The more hydrated you are, the less weight you will retain, as most weight gained during the holidays is due to water retention.

Don't: Strive for Perfection

Always practice forgiveness and recognize that it is okay to indulge once in a while during the holidays. You don't need to punish yourself, and this will only create stress and set you up for failure. Instead, recognize where you went wrong, add the tools you need and then move on.

Stick to these holiday dos and don'ts if you want to stay healthy and avoid holiday weight gain. Remember, keeping weight off is easier than taking it off. Using these tips can make your holiday season easier to tackle without unwanted stress.