The year’s end is fast approaching, so our annual cycle for maintaining a healthy lifestyle gets thrown out the window. January will follow and for most of us that means pulling up our socks and getting back into a healthy routine.  Christmas and holiday parties are around the corner, bringing excess food and late nights, which may make those pants feel a little tighter. Although we tell ourselves we will try to monitor our intake, the sheer volume of events, food, alcohol and stress can throw a wrench into our plans. Here’s how to approach the Holidays- enjoy it!

There will be thousands of articles titled “Do this, not that” and “Eat this, not that” over the next month. For those of you that are trying to make a conscious effort to limit excessive calories and watch your body composition, avoid getting caught in a vicious cycle of obsession over managing the “good” and the “bad” over the holidays.

This time of year means something different to everyone. Instead of focusing on what you shouldn’t be doing and getting caught up in the guilt, focus on what you could be doing and enjoy it while it lasts.

Whatever the holidays mean to you, here are a few things you should be enjoying:

  • Spending time with family
  • Family traditions
  • Soul filling foods
  • That first smell of dinner when you walk in the house
  • Holiday cheers with friends over a seasonal pint or favorite holiday drink
  • Decorating trees

This article contains no healthy recipe for you to try or judgment in your decisions this holiday. That is not what we are here for. We are here to answer questions and help give you the best direction possible to achieve those goals. I will be enjoying real shortbread cookies with flour, butter and sugar, visiting family and enjoying all the wonderful food associated with it.

I hope to see you all in the new year happy and healthy ready to get back to work.

by Kyle Dunlop

Kyle Dunlop holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology and is certified with the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology and National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Certified Exercise Physiologist and Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He specializes in strength, power training, and teaching fundamental movements to individuals and athletes to reduce injury.