Raise your hand if you're a perfectionist! Me too. If I’m not first, I’m last. Usually that mindset drives me to achieve my goals. But in certain situations, that perfectionist, all-or-nothing mindset can lead to failure. Holiday fitness is one of those situations. During the holidays, it’s much more beneficial to focus on consistency over perfection.

It’s easy to get off track during the holidays

This time of year is hard to stay perfectly on track. Maybe in April, when there’s not much going on, you can work out, make healthy meals, stick to your morning routine, and not miss a day. But this time of year is different!

You’ve got work, school, and community parties. You have friends and family visiting from out of town! You’re eating out more than you’re cooking dinner. Your schedule is packed already and now you’re running around getting everything you need for the holidays. And your kids aren’t in school so you’re trying to keep them entertained. 

Do you have an all-or-nothing mindset?

There is so much that happens in December to throw you off track, prevent you from getting to the gym, and to throw you off of the way you normally eat. You’re not going to be perfect.

That leaves two options:

Option 1: Give up. You’re missing workouts, you’re eating cookies, and you’re sleeping in because you still haven’t adjusted to the Daylight Savings time switch. So why not call December a cheat month and just make a New Year’s Resolution to get back into shape starting in 2023. Since you can do it all, you’ll do nothing!

OR

Option 2: Do something. You don’t have an hour to workout? Do 20 minutes and be proud of yourself for it! You’re going to a work party with zero nutritious food to eat? Eat a breakfast and lunch that fuel your body. You didn’t wake up early enough for your morning routine? Just take 10 minutes to meditate or journal. 

Choose consistency over perfection

Something is always better than nothing. And completing 60-70% of your fitness goals is not failure. It’s consistency. And consistency is a win! Especially in December. Think of how happy you’ll be on January 1st when you get to keep moving forward instead of digging yourself out of a holiday pit. 

Don’t put yourself and your health on hold until next year. This holiday season, give yourself the gift of health! Keep yourself, your goals, and what you want to feel like at the top of your mind. For some extra motivation, write your goals and affirmations down and keep them in front of you. Type them into your phone and make it your screensaver. And don’t let yourself get trapped into an all-or-nothing way of thinking. 

To help you along, over the next few weeks, I’m going to introduce you to some of the experts I turn to and let them share their expertise with you. We’ll deep dive into relationships, empowerment, how your brain works, all kinds of things that will keep you motivated and supported during the holidays!