February 17, 2021 —Another holiday season has come and gone. It’s easy to overindulge during the whirlwind of parties and cornucopia of festive fare, and some of you may have done just that.
Don’t get down on yourself! All you need is a plan and a positive attitude.
Gone are the days of sitting by the fire eating holiday cookies and hot chocolate. It’s time to move and eat some great, healthy food! Your body will thank you, and you will feel better!
How can you work off holiday indulgences?
Here are 5 easy tips to help you bounce back to your pre-holiday self!
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- Make a plan! I don’t mean make a resolution to work out 7 days in a row and lose 20 pounds by next week—and then forget about it a week later. It doesn’t need to be drastic. Try something as simple as scheduling blocks of time where you know you will be available, and use that time for exercise. Make it non-negotiable. Decide which days of the week work best and what time of day. Choose days when you have fewer obligations.
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- Try something new! Find a new class to take. Watch an exercise video or find one on the Internet. Go with a friend to their favorite gym or class. Try swimming, biking, a new machine, new weights, bands, balance exercises—ANYTHING that is a new form of exercise for you!
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- Get those steps in! By far the easiest form of exercise, walking can be done anywhere. Take a longer route when walking to or from somewhere. Take the stairs instead of an elevator or escalator. Get up and walk around during breaks or commercials. Take a few extra laps around the hallway. Walk, walk, walk!
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- Drink more water! It is very easy to become dehydrated, even more so during the winter months. Water increases energy and weight loss, flushes out toxins, improves skin, maintains digestive regularity, boosts your immune system, relieves headaches, prevents muscle cramps, and more! Try starting your day with a glass, then set alarms to remind yourself. Keep track with a marker on a disposable bottle or on a sticky note. Add lemon, cucumbers, berries and herbs for flavor!
- Sleep! Rest is extremely important and underrated. Sleep improves your health overall, as well as memory, thought, recovery, mood, immunity and more. It also helps you maintain a healthy weight. Try setting a bedtime and sticking to it: set a goal of how much sleep to get, and follow through by creating a pre-sleep ritual, which signals your body and mind that it’s time to get ready to sleep.
These tips are not only helpful for those who regret the results of holiday indulgence; they’re great motivators to maintain wellness.
Start your new year with a fresh outlook. Use these tools to help you be the healthiest version of yourself!
About The Author
Donna Lakinger is the fitness coordinator at Chicago’s The Admiral at The Lake, guiding a program she developed specifically for residents. A personal trainer and health coach, she has more than a decade of experience working with people of ALL ages (up to 103!). Throughout that time, she has coached, encouraged, and helped hundreds of seniors and older adults navigate their health journey. She also does private health coaching virtually for those near and far. Donna has a master’s degree in Exercise Physiology and a bachelor’s degree in Health Studies and is Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certified, an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, an ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor and Senior Fitness Certified.
Work out with Donna!
The Admiral at the Lake offers a comprehensive wellness program, a fitness center, a heated indoor pool, and a wellness center, weekly fitness programs, as well as on-site, short-term rehabilitation services.
Interested in learning more about the activities of the vibrant, active residents and the customized, resident-driven programs at The Admiral? Call 773-433-1801 or view the available residences at our senior living community in Chicago.