Navigating nutrition and workouts during the holidays
Lynne Steiner • December 2, 2024
Holiday Hustle Without the Hassle: How to Maintain Your Fitness Goals
The holidays are like a whirlwind carnival—twinkling lights, decadent foods, and schedules bursting at the seams. It’s a season of joy, indulgence, and, let’s be honest, chaos. While most people are scrambling to find balance between their favorite traditions and their fitness goals, you can sail through this season with grace and a plan.
Let’s unwrap the secrets to enjoying the festivities without sacrificing your progress.
The Temptation of Holiday Treats Everywhere
Picture this: you’re at a holiday party. The table groans under the weight of frosted cookies, velvety fudge, and a turkey so golden it could be on a magazine cover. You’ve promised yourself you’ll stick to your goals—but then the dessert tray winks at you.
Sound familiar?
Here’s the thing: you can enjoy these indulgences without derailing your progress. The secret? The 3-Bite Rule:
- The first bite is pure excitement “Wow, this is amazing!”
- The second bite is all about flavor “Mmm, that cinnamon hits just right.”
- The third bite is to savor and say goodbye “Thanks for the memories, pie.”
Why this works: It satisfies your craving without sending you into the sugary abyss. The rest of the treats can live on happily without you demolishing the entire plate.
And when you're choosing your treats, think of them as an investment. Would you spend your calories on a stale store-bought cookie or that homemade pecan pie your aunt only makes once a year? Go for the pie it’s worth it.
The Guilt of Taking Time for Yourself
Between shopping, wrapping presents, and attending events, taking care of yourself can feel as impossible as catching a snowflake with a straw. But here’s the truth: self-care isn’t selfish. It’s the foundation that keeps you upright when the holiday storm hits.
Instead of skipping workouts because “there’s no time,” weave movement into your festivities:
- Turn your family walk into a Reindeer Dash: a brisk, laughter-filled stroll to check out the lights.
- Make decorating an active event: squats while hanging ornaments, anyone?
- Challenge your kids to a quick "Holiday Hustle" workout: 5 minutes of burpees, squats, and jumping jacks (with giggles guaranteed).
It sounds a little silly, but movement doesn’t have to be an elaborate production. Small moments of activity add up fast!
Mindset Matters: Stop Thinking "All or Nothing"
You think, “I already had three cookies—may as well skip the workout and go full Rudolph on the eggnog.” This mindset is like smashing your other shin into the table after you accidentally bonked the first one.
Instead, shift to a balance mindset:
- Begin your day with a nutrient-dense breakfast: imagine a colorful plate of eggs, avocado, and roasted veggies.
- At events, aim for the half-plate strategy: fill half with greens or lean proteins, leaving room for your favorite indulgences.
- End the day with a quick reflection: “What choices today made me proud?”
Fitness isn’t about perfection; it’s about consistency. Small, intentional wins will outshine a season of extremes.
Why You Shouldn’t Wait for January 1st
The idea of waiting for New Year’s resolutions is like deciding to fix a leaky roof after a rainstorm. Don’t postpone your progress! Taking small steps now whether it’s a 10-minute workout or mindful eating can keep you grounded during the holiday frenzy.
Remember, the holidays are a season, not a permanent state of indulgence. Treat it as a marathon, not a sprint to the dessert table.
A Little Holiday Pep Talk
You don’t need a sleigh full of discipline or a bag of willpower to get through the season. You just need a plan, a positive mindset, and a sense of humor when things don’t go perfectly.
Here’s your action plan:
1. Enjoy your favorite treats, but savor them mindfully (3-Bite Rule!).
2. Prioritize movement, even in small bursts.
3. Stay consistent—perfection isn’t the goal.
Most importantly, don’t forget to embrace the joy of the season. After all, the holidays aren’t about how many calories you burned—they’re about connection, laughter, and memories that warm you like a cozy fire.
So grab that cookie, hit a quick workout, and own this holiday season like the rockstar you are. 🎄💪
More Posts
If you have young kids, you already know how this week goes. The routines are gone. The days are loud. The sugar intake is… impressive. And somehow, everyone is wound up and exhausted at the same time. This isn’t the season to chase perfect workouts. It is a great season to lean into movement that feels like play . Movement keeps the holidays calmer (for everyone) Kids move to regulate their energy. Parents move to regulate their stress. When movement disappears, meltdowns increase on both sides. The goal this week isn’t fitness. It’s connection, sanity, and sleep . 10–15 minutes counts (especially when it’s shared) You don’t need equipment or a plan. Try one of these: Walk the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights Holiday music dance party in the living room Reindeer races down the driveway or hallway Snowball throws (or rolled socks if there’s no snow) “Get up off the floor” races between gifts or chores Short. Fun. Done together. That’s the win. Let kids see you move too You don’t need to coach it or explain it. Just let them see: you squatting to pick things up you stretching on the floor you laughing while you’re a little out of breath Those moments stick. They learn that movement is normal, not punishment. This week is about memories, not metrics Christmas will come and go whether your workouts are perfect or not. But the moments you move together? Those build habits that last longer than the holiday. So if you do one thing this week, make it this: move a little, together, on purpose. That’s more than enough.
School schedules quietly do a lot of heavy lifting. They create structure. Predictability. Rhythm. So when school’s out—summer break, winter break, long weekends—it’s not just the kids’ routines that change. Yours does too. Workouts slide. Bedtimes drift. “I’ll go tomorrow” becomes a habit. But here’s the good news: You don’t need a brand-new fitness plan when your kids are off school. You need a modified version of the one that already works. Why keeping a “school-year rhythm” matters Most parents don’t lose fitness during breaks because they stop caring. They lose it because the anchors disappear. Training works best when it’s: tied to a time of day attached to an existing habit expected, not optional When school’s out, the goal isn’t to maintain intensity or performance. The goal is continuity. A lighter version of your usual routine beats starting over every time. Keep the same days , even if the workouts change Protect your training days first, then adjust everything else. If you normally train M onday, Wednesday, Friday... keep those days. Shorter session? Fine. Scaled workout? Perfect. Different class time? Great. What matters is showing your brain that training still belongs in your week. Avoid “I’ll just go when I can” mode... That’s how routines quietly disappear. Lower the bar on intensity , not consistency This is not the season to chase PRs. It is the season to: move your body break a sweat maintain strength and joint health protect your stress levels At our gym, that might look like: choosing a lighter weight than usual scaling conditioning more aggressively skipping the “extra credit” At a global gym or home setup: cut your workout time in half choose simple movements focus on quality reps Consistency compounds. Intensity is optional. Use your gym’s structure to your advantage One of the biggest benefits of coached classes is that you don’t have to think. You show up. The plan exists. A coach guides the hour. If you train at CFR: book classes ahead of time treat them like non-negotiable appointments lean on your coach for smart scaling during busy weeks If you train elsewhere: follow a written program avoid “random workout” scrolling give yourself a start and end time Decision fatigue is real, especially for parents. Reduce decisions. Protect energy. Involve your kids when it helps, not when it hurts Some kids love seeing their parents train. Others… not so much. If your gym allows it (and it’s safe): let kids sit with a book or tablet frame your workout as your time At home: invite them to move with you for warm-ups give them “jobs” like counting reps keep boundaries around start and finish times You’re not just staying consistent. You’re modeling what self-care looks like in real life. Remember: this season ends Breaks feel long while you’re in them. Then suddenly, school starts again, routines return, calendars fill up. Parents who keep some version of their training routine during breaks don’t have to “start over.” They simply turn the volume back up. That’s the advantage. Need help adjusting your routine for a busy season? At CrossFit Roselle, this kind of coaching is built into how we work with parents year-round. And if you’re training elsewhere, take this as your reminder: You don’t need perfect conditions. You need continuity. Your future self will thank you.
Picture this. It’s pitch-black at 5 p.m. Your car heater is blowing lukewarm air that smells a little like burning hope , and the only thing standing between you and hibernation is… a workout. Winter tries to sell you the idea that fitness belongs to summer people. People with sunlight. People with driveways that aren’t sheets of ice. People who don’t need fifteen minutes to peel off layers like a human onion. But here’s the truth: winter is secretly the best training season of the year —a quiet stretch of time when distractions shrink, routines strengthen, and the athletes who keep showing up create progress no one sees coming. This is your playbook for turning the coldest season into your most productive one. Winter Doesn’t Steal Your Motivation—It Steals Your Rhythm Most people convince themselves they’re “less motivated” in winter. Not true. Winter simply rearranges your internal furniture. - Your sleep schedule shifts because daylight disappears. - Your brain thinks darkness means rest, not burpees. - Your routine gets scrambled by holidays, travel, school events, and unexpected “Why is my car making that sound?” mornings. It’s not a lack of desire. It’s a lack of structure. Your body loves rhythm the way a toddler loves routine: fiercely, dramatically, and with zero flexibility for last-minute changes. When winter disrupts your patterns, workouts feel harder—not because you’re weaker, but because the anchors you rely on get buried under snowdrifts. This is why re-establishing routine matters more than willpower. And the simplest way to do that? Treat your workouts like important appointments instead of optional errands. The Fixed Appointment Method (A.K.A. “Stop Negotiating With Yourself”) If you’ve ever tried to bargain with yourself about going to the gym— “Maybe later… after I warm up… after dinner… after I stop shivering…” — you’ve already met the enemy of winter consistency. The fixed appointment method removes that mental wrestling match. Here’s how it works: - Pick two or three non-negotiable training times each week. - Write them down or add them to your calendar. - Pretend they were scheduled by someone who charges a cancellation fee. That’s it. No drama. No overthinking. No bargaining with the Winter Goblin that whispers, “Or… hear me out… sweatpants?” You show up because it’s in the schedule, and habits love schedules. Why Winter Strength Training Works Better Than Any Other Season Here’s where winter becomes magic. When the weather cools down and intensity naturally dips, your body becomes primed for strength-focused training . And we’re not talking about lifting small weights while dreaming of spring—we’re talking about building the foundation that carries you through the entire year. Strength training thrives in winter because: - Lower humidity and cooler temps reduce fatigue , making lifting feel smoother. - Fewer social commitments free up brain space for a consistent routine. - You’re indoors more , which creates ideal conditions for controlled strength work. - Strength is slow-cooked progress , and winter is the perfect long simmer. Think of winter strength work like adding money to a savings account. No fireworks, no parade, no audience... Just steady deposits that quietly grow. By spring, when everyone else is “getting back on track,” you’ll already have momentum, capacity, and strength they can’t see yet. One Lift to Rule the Winter Here’s a simple experiment that works shockingly well: Choose one strength lift to track for the entire winter. Options: - Squat - Deadlift - Press - Bench press Pick the lift that speaks to your soul, or the lift you avoid because it exposes your soul. Either one works. Then: - Train it 1–2 times per week. - Track your numbers. - Watch how consistency compounds. In 12 weeks, you’ll look back and think, “How did this get so much easier?” Spoiler: you stayed the course when others hit pause. What About the Cold? Isn’t It Harder to Work Out? Cold weather does make training feel different, but not worse. Winter training is like starting an old car: The engine needs a moment, but once it warms up? It purrs. Why winter feels harder at first: - Cold joints need extra time to lubricate. - Blood flow increases more slowly. - Muscles feel tight until core temperature rises. Fix that with one simple rule: Warm up like your workout depends on it (because it does). Try this short, winter-proof warm-up before strength work: - 30 seconds of light cardio (row, bike, jog) - 10 air squats - 10 push-ups - 10 band pull-aparts - 10 lunges - 20-second plank Done. Your body now understands you’re training and stops acting like a sleepy bear. Winter Is the Season of Quiet Gains Here’s a secret: While most of the world treats winter like a fitness off-season… …the strongest, most consistent athletes understand that winter is the building season . It’s the time to: - Add strength - Improve mechanics - Practice skills - Build aerobic capacity - Reinforce habits - Create accountability Summer is for showing the work. Winter is for doing it. No noise. No comparison. No pressure. Just you, the barbell, the chalk, and the steady beat of progress no one else can see yet. Conclusion: Choose One Step and Start Today Winter can feel heavy. Cold. Uninviting. But it can also be the quietest, most productive season of your fitness year if you decide to treat it that way. Helpful tip: Pick one strength goal today. Not for spring. Not for “after the holidays.” Today. Then give it: - A schedule - A warm-up - A little discipline - A lot of patience When everyone else wakes up in March trying to reclaim lost ground, you’ll already be miles ahead—stronger, steadier, and proud of the season you didn’t skip. If you want help building a winter strength plan tailored to your goals, click the Book a Free Intro button and talk to a coach today.
