Finish 2016 on a Health Note

As we hustle into November, the year is slowly creeping to an end.  With that in mind, creating momentum for the upcoming year should be the mindset.  This momentum happens by finishing the year on a strong and positive note.   

Here are a few strategies to help you stay on track with your healthy living plan over the next 2 months:

1.     Challenge yourself up to Thanksgiving.  I encourage you to push yourself over the next four weeks.  Add an extra training session to your routine, clean up your nutrition plan and push your comfort zone.  The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving are a critical time to stay healthy and on your plan.  This sets you up to sustain a healthy lifestyle leading into the winter months. 

2.     Do not miss your workouts.  If you continue to maintain your workout schedule, you will be less likely to gain weight over the next 8 weeks.  The average American will gain 7-10 pounds over the next 2 months.  Lack of activity and consumption of high caloric food is a sure fire way to add pounds.  Don’t let this happen to you.  Simply staying on a consistent workout schedule will aide in sustaining the results you have achieved up to this point.   

3.     Do not wait for “New Year’s Resolution” time.  I am very adamant about this strategy.  Many people wait till the New Year to start their fitness routine.  Why wait?  Get going now.  I see it every New Year.  Many people decide to get on a plan at the beginning of the year only to fall off within weeks of starting.  Do not let this be you.  Start now by adding a couple workouts a week and changing a few nutritional habits.  Then when the New Year rolls around, you have already created sustainable healthy habits. 

4.     Sign up for an event.  Locally, we have the annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving, the Tinsel Toy 5k in December and the Resolution Run 5k on January 1^st.  Signing up for an event creates motivation and accountability and will get you training consistently so you will be prepared for your event.  Find a group of people and encourage them to train with you.  This will make training and competing in the event a better experience. 

5.     Go back to the 85% rule.  I have talked about this strategy before.  This is a critical time of the year to follow the 85% rule.  Simply put, 85% of your food intake should be healthy choices.  Look at the next 40 times you put food into your mouth; 34 of those meals should be healthy.  That gives you 6 meals where you can indulge on other options.  By following this rule, you will maintain your weight, keep your energy levels high, decrease your chances of getting a cold or the flu and overall keep you healthier.