Once we hit the Christmas season, most people wait until after New Year’s to start any kind of fitness program with any serious effort. I hope after you read this post and the challenge that comes with it, you’ll see that DURING the holidays is the BEST time of year to make a commitment to a health and fitness program and set your goals for next year.
One thing that always seems to happen moving towards Christmas and New Years is, Excuses…sorry, LAME EXCUSES!!
Excuse: “I’m too busy over the holidays to work out as often as usual.” Reality : I am choosing to not exercise as often.
Excuse: “I’m more stressed over the holidays, the food is there, so I eat more.” Reality: I am looking at food to solve my problems
Excuse: “I have at least three parties to attend and then there’s Christmas and New Year’s, so it’s impossible to stay on a diet” Reality: I am looking for any excuse to go on a food bender and eat recklessly.
Excuse: “No one can tell me not to enjoy myself over the holidays so I’m just going to eat whatever I want.” Reality: You enjoy carrying extra weight. You enjoy not fitting into your clothes.
Let’s turn this around. This year can be different!! Set up a goal to not gain weight….WOW….revolutionary and shocking!!!
It seems a lot of people set their “goal” to get in worse shape over the holidays. Of course, It’s not consciously set, (at least I hope it’s not!) as few people would intentionally set out to get fatter.
It’s a goal that get sets because there isn’t a positive goal to stop it . Those people seem to convince themselves that it must be just about impossible to stay in shape with everything that is happening over the holiday season, so why bother?
Once the choice has been made, then the excuses can continue:
“I’m not going to deprive myself”, “My family will pressure me to eat”, ”Eating properly and finding time to exercise during the holidays makes me crazy” “It’s only a few pounds that I’ll gain so I’m going to enjoy myself”, “It’s only a couple of weeks, how much damage can happen?” “I’ll start in January and lose the weight then.”
As a result of allowing these excuses into your thought process, you set bad goals by default. Suddenly it’s ok in your mind to work out less, eat more and gain a few pounds. WHAT??? Why is ok because of the holidays? What about the alternatives??
But what would happen if you…
SET A GOAL TO GET IN BETTER shape over the holidays?
What would happen if you decided that it was not an all or nothing proposition and that you could set a goal to enjoy the holidays and all it has to offer while getting in better shape at the same time?
What if you decided that your health and your body were the highest priorities in your life, because you realized that can’t enjoy anything else in life, including family or holidays, if you don’t have your health?
Here’s what would happen: You’d get in better shape!
Your expectations will become your reality. What are you expecting? Are you expecting success? Are you expecting to be in better shape after holiday parties, celebrations, banquets, dinners, and desserts?
If not, then why not?
What’s preventing you from enjoying all of the above and still getting in better shape? Do you have a limiting belief, which dictates that it’s one or the other? Could it be that you never set a goal, intention or expectation to do it? Could it be that you’re rationalizing or making excuses?
If so, then I challenge you to change it this year.
Why join the challenge?? What is the reward for joining? Not gaining weight over the holidays!! Give this Christmas gift to yourself…
Leave a comment that you want to be in the challenge. You will get weighed/measured so you know where you are starting the holidays at. We will send the complete Christmas Challenge details, including:
The 12 days of Christmas, 12 Recipes – 12 key exercises to do over the holidays and more stuff that we can’t tell you about yet!
Sign up, let me know, make your commitment to yourself, set your goals and go running towards the holidays.
I’m interested in the challenge !
Hey – I am in!! I have already started the exercising – now I need to have that support of the group. It worked for Sexy for Spring – now I want to get sexy for Santa! And I want to do it for me – not for anyone else!
Patty-you are awesome-your energy is incredible!!! This will be a great challenge group!!!
Sign me up! I’ve been doing pretty good lately, but having to report in to you will make me that much more accountable for my actions. I won’t settle for not gaining weight, I am determined that I will lose weight over the next 5 weeks. Go ahead… double dog dare me!
Clarky–SO AWESOME!!!!
Carrie
http://www.georgetownfitnessbootcamp.com http://www.thebootcampblog.com 647-2-BE-FITT
I’m so in! Hawaii in January!
I’m in – What do I need to do Carrie!!!!
Count me in Carrie – I’m up for the challenge!!! Can we set inch loss goals too?
Count me in. Need to get myself stronger and healthier. Always loved a challange!
Did someone say challenge?
Bring it on!
Count me in! Cabo for Christmas is fast approaching and I SWEAR I will be back at class this week!
Bring on the holidays! I’m in for sure!
C Carrie Boot Camp
H Hold the gravy
R Rise to the challenge
I If you think you can, you will … Inspire others
S Set Goals
T Take TIME for yourself
M Make health a priority in your life
A Appreciate the small things
S Stay strong, stay focused, stick with it
These are my goals for this holiday challenge!
M
T
Miss Cathy—-AWESOME!! Love it!!!!!
You are so creative!!!!
Carrie
http://www.georgetownfitnessbootcamp.com http://www.thebootcampblog.com 647-2-BE-FITT
I am in – I started running again Monday morning – so get out the scale and measuring tape!! Fat Free for Santa!!
LOL -atta girl!!!!
I’m in, I’ve joined the Biggest Loser at work, Carrie you can be my secret weapon… cheers:)
Yep, I’m in …
I would love to try this challenge! This is probably what I need to hold me accountable to my goals. I’m in!
Count me in Carrie!
Hi Carrie, i am in sign me up, a challenge is just what i need, my commitment so far has been pretty good, i am pretty impressed with myself now its time to be accountable and time to shed some pounds
i’m up for the challenge.
I’m in. I think this is going to be my biggest challenge yet.
Carrie count me in for this challenge
Count me in as well
Thanks for reading the blog Hollywood–glad you are joining the challenge!!
I’m in!!!
I was talking to another boot camper last night who was saying she has a hard time avoiding sugar. I believe that expectations of others helps.
I wanted to share this with other boot campers who are doing the Christmas challenge, ’cause it helps me every day.
At the office, everyone knows that I’m a real health nut, so whenever they order food (which is at least twice a week) they don’t include me in the ordering of pizza and wings, etc, etc. Also, there’s tonnes and tonnes of chocolate and candy all over the place, but I never have any, ever! And what makes it easy is this – people in the office know me as a health nut – they expect that I have no interest in those foods… and they’re right, for the most part, I don’t, but even when I may have a weak moment and feel tempted (or if they bring in something that is particularly tempting for me, cause we all have those foods) just knowing that others expect me to not partake helps me to resist. I don’t want to let them down in the image of the healthy person that I am….
So, all this to say that if people around you expect you to eat bad foods at Christmas, then you are probably more likely to because it’s “OK if you do”… but if people around you expect you to turn those things down, then it will help you because you know they’re expectations are that you don’t eat those things.
… for what it’s worth…
See you all tonight!
Fantastic comment Jen!!! Thanks for that!!! It is soo true. Be the healthy one…..don’t be the kid from the cereal commercial(dating myself) “give it to Mikey, he’ll eat anything” Thanks again Jen!!!!
I actually lost a couple pounds over the holidays last year and I want to be in the same boat this year! If you think about it, we’re busier over the holidays, there’s more activity to fit in and less time to be idle (cutting our boot camp, healthy meal preparation and proper rest not being optional). If we maintain most (if not all) of our current discipline, doesn’t it make sense that the holidays could be our friend in helping to achieve our goals? Signed, Pollyanna
Boot Camper 11….so true…turn this season of eating/sharing on it’s head…enjoy the season….not all the fatty foods! Everyone has to get out of the habit of associating Christmas with food…..be different…..prepare the healthiest food you can…and really enjoy it! Thanks for your comment Pollyanna….always nice hearing from you!!
I will put carrots in my advent calendar! I’m in.
Count me in too Carrie … What the heck, I’ve already set my own goals (Punta Cana end of January) so no harm doing it with the group. Can only help, right?
Thanks (as always) for all your support – you are awesome
Sign me up Carrie!
OK – I’m in…cruise in January…..do not need the thighs flapping in the sea air….need I say more.
BRING IT
Sorry… I didn’t read the challenge till now…
JUST WHAT I NEED… I’m up for the challenge too!!
HO HO HOld the GOODIES!!!
I’m in Carrie!!!!!
Count me in!!!
I am breaking the stupid “gain 5 pounds over Christmas” tradition.
No more! Now it’s loose 10 pounds before Christmas and keep it off.
Goal by February 2011: -30 lbs!!!
Thanks Carrie!
I’m in. No traditional 5 pounds weight gain over the holidays.
In my daughter’s words….”if you mean it, then pinkie-swear”.
I pinkie-swear.
Awesome Daniela–you have been working sooo hard!!!
I’m up for the challenge. Bootcamp rocks!!!
I’m up for the challenge. Thanks
Awesome Robin!! Glad to have you back at boot camp!
Count me in! I was really worried about the 2 week shutdown so this will keep me accountable:}
I’m in Carrie!
“Pain is just weakness leaving the body”
I heard this said on The Last 10 lbs Bootcamp show. I feel encouraged by these words and will keep this in mind when I’m at Bootcamp tonight!
Count me in too! Gotta keep on track to complete my goal…running my first half marathon!
I’m in the challenge for sure!
Sign me up! Any extra help and support is always welcomed.
count me in Carrie! What a great idea…..BRING ON THE HOLIDAYS – We can do it!