How To :: 3 Easy Tips for Working Out During the Holidays (bonus free printable!)

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Sometimes working out sucks.

Contrary to popular belief, however, working out isn't meant to make you cringe in fear or push it off until the latest hour of the day. It's supposed to be enjoyable, fun, and something you look forward to during your week. It can be challenging & intense, don't get me wrong. But it's not supposed to be terrifying.

If you've ever had a difficult time planning a schedule or sticking to one, you're not alone! Think back to your New Year's Resolutions. Was exercising more on that list? Maybe you've stuck with it somewhat or maybe you haven't. No worries. It might be the end of the year when the mad rush of crazy schedules is at it's peak, but that doesn't mean you can't find your new favorite workout. Last year, I fell in love with Barre3 in an attempt to procrastinate studying for finals and decrease my stress levels. I've been doing it three times a week ever since!

Exercising has been known to elevate the mood thanks to a flood of endorphins. It helps you sleep better at night. Exercise makes you feel confident and sexy in your body, because you're getting in touch with your power and strength. It's been known to boost memory retention and can help fight off illness. This last point has one major caveat: too much exercise can lead to intense fatigue and a suppressed immune system - rest days are important, so take them! I aim for and recommend at least 2 days of rest a week. Exercise, when done right, gives you more energy and simply makes you happier.

Read on for 3 simple tips for working out during the holidays ...

During the holiday season working out still kind of sucks & almost seems impossible. Here's how to do it:

1. Ink it in.

Just like you schedule appointments, book workouts into your calendar with ink (or swear never to delete them off Google Calendar). When it's written down with a specific date and time, it becomes as important as the working lunch or client consult. At the beginning of the week, pen in the specific dates, times, & types of workouts you'll be doing over the next seven days. For example: Monday at 6:15; in the gym for an hour.

2. Make it fun.

Like I said above, workouts aren't meant to make you hide in fear. They can be intense, work your muscles to the core, and leave you sore the next day, but if you're crying at the thought of your next session or don't enjoy the burn while you're doing it, maybe your workout isn't the best it could be for you right now. What we're drawn to changes over time, and what works for some might not work for others. If you normally do crossfit but now really want a calmer pace, take up some yoga or barre. If you're looking for more cardio in addition to your Vinyasa classes, try a meditative run (see the download below). Make it something that works for YOU, not your best friend or brother.

3. Be kind to yourself.

It's a really freaking busy time of the year. If you're someone who normally exercises regularly and now you're struggling to fit it into your schedule, try not to think all or none. If 60 minute workouts (just as a comparison, not a 'best length' recommendation) don't fit into your calendar, and you only have time for 10 minutes, then a 10 minutes workout is great! You'll still get the energy needed to power through the endless list of holiday to-do's and parties. Ten minutes a day will have you ready to rock those pretty holiday outfits you can't wait to put on. In the printable below, you'll find a 10 minute yoga flow & tools for a meditative run that can easily be applied to walking.

If you don't have time to fit exercising into your schedule, don't beat yourself up. Life is far more than sweating out toxins. You've still got it regardless, so flaunt that hot body of yours with a bright smile and cheery vibe.

Happy happy, everyone. And for those celebrating, Happy Hanukkah! Xx.

 

To celebrate the holiday season with movement, I made you this free printable :: click the image to download & print!

Like what you see? It's part of the new, free 7 page Healthy Holidays Guide.

Want a copy? Get it delivered to your inbox on Friday, December 11th when you fill out the form below.

P.S.S.S. Have you checked out all of the
other places Emily's spreading the Great Vibes?

Holiday Gift Guide :: for your beautiful mother who comes to you for fashion advice, has egg sandwiches almost everyday, and always makes time for mom hugs

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pinhole-press-calendar-gift-guide-mom.jpg

A personalized calendar with family photos, original creations, or beautiful quotes. 
I love this calendar from Pinhole Press.

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A massage certificate or evening of tranquility -
think: essential oils, special tea, a few candles, & a new book.

Pre-order a new romance novel (the season of giving)from one of her favorite authors
which you'll inevitably read because you're just as addicted.

slippers-gift-guide-mom.jpg

The softest slippers she's been wanting for the last five years.
Perfect for pairing with that cardigan and a hot cup of coffee.

at-cumberland-falls-bed-and-breakfast-inn-asheville-nc-gift-guide.jpg

A weekend trip to explore with an overnight stay in a beautiful bed & breakfast.
This one reminds me of The Dragonfly Inn in Gilmore Girls.

dark-chocolate-orange-gift-guide-mom.jpg

Grab a few nostalgic favorites for stocking stuffers or group them together in a pretty basket.

wooden-sandwich-boards-gift-guide-mom.jpg

These gorgeous Wooden Sandwich Boards.
Because she's notorious for eating off the cutting board.

portable-bonfire-log-gift-guide-mom.jpg

A portable bonfire log for when the nights are chilly but beautiful.
This one only needs a match!

Check out the whole 2015 Gift Guide so far ...

P.S. Affiliate links were used throughout this post. Thanks for supporting The Great Vibes Guide & Em through the holidays! Xx.

P.S.S. Did you know you get a free 5 Tips to Great Vibes Guide & grocery store printable when you sign up for The Newsletter? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

P.S.S.S. Have you checked out all of the
other places Emily's spreading the Great Vibes?

How To :: Manage Indulgence Overload in Three Easy Steps

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'Tis the Season ...

... for standing in the glow of the refrigerator to figure out what delicious food comes next; for hovering over the sink to inhale a slice of pie; for waking up with anxiety over what was eaten yesterday or the day before.

But no more! One day (or weekend) will not make or break your food habits - and if you think it will, it's the diet that is to blame, not yourself.

Waking up post-feast-weekend can leave you sluggish and, for lack of a better word, blah. So I've - Emily here! - included my top three tips for getting back to Great Vibes when I've forgotten myself and indulged like it's my middle name.

Drink Water like it's Liquid Gold - It Kind of Is.

My number one tip to surviving the holiday season is drinking water. It's the easiest, most effective way of flushing out toxins, rejuvenating your skin, and keeping you satisfied. I've done absolutely zero exercise, ate all I wanted, but made sure to have at least 64 oz. of water everyday over Thanksgiving weekend and not gained weight. That won't work for everyone, but my point is water is pure gold. If water tastes bland to you, try adding ginger or lemon (like the picture above) or infuse it with some berries. If you want to step it up a notch, try my top-secret (not-so-secret anymore) toxin flush of 1 cup of water with about a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in the morning upon first waking and again prior to going to bed. You'll be met with a happy tummy, a detoxified body, and a glowing complexion.

Move the Body, but Not Like You're Thinking.

Contrary to popular belief, the whole burn-the-equivalent-of-calories-in is wrong. You cannot hop on a treadmill and burn off that extra serving of mashed potatoes. Nope. What you can do, however, is be gentle with yourself and your initial movements post-food-coma. To begin, incorporate some slow burning, detoxing twists into your workout or yoga sequence. The reason you're puffy and uncomfortable is due to the build up of food and toxins being processed through your system. The digestive track gets to be slow moving and the stomach may become sensitive and irritable. By incorporating twists into your daily regimen, you can help your body naturally eliminate excess without it being a harmful shock to the system. If you're craving a vigorous run or yoga sequence, then by all means, please do it. Start slowly and then increase to a quicker pace. There's nothing worse than being mid-run and having your stomach cramp. But if you're sitting there saying you must even though you really just want to ease into your day, then do not do it. There's nothing less effective than a forced, high-intensity workout.

Eat More Food - Seriously, Do It.

"Let food be thy medicine" - Hippocrates

If you've overindulged, the answer is more food, not less of it. Remember what I said about exercising and how calories-in cannot be negated by burning the exact amount off? Well starving yourself the day after overindulgence does nothing more than make your body hold onto it's weight. Make room for foods that are easy to digest and extremely nutritious. Any of the recipes on The Great Vibes Guide are excellent for this. For an amazing and free detox recipe eBook, sign up for Minimalist Baker's newsletter. It includes easy to make and yummy to eat recipes that help you hit the reset button on your body. They are refreshing and absolutely delicious. The site is great in general. Dana and John bring priceless resources and incredible recipes to the online community that have me wanting to do a happy dance just thinking about it.

Wrapping back to the main point, foods can heal your body. Eat the good stuff.

Good thing we don't believe in guilt over here ...

If there is one thing I've learned, it is that life has no room for guilt or shame. You ate a meal. Maybe 10. If they exceed what you deem "good" or "acceptable", that is okay and I give you permission to forgive the unkind words spoken to yourself after eating that third slice of pie.

It's easy to get wrapped up in the fitness hype and dieting craze. However, your body is more than the food you eat. It's a miracle. So shower it with the love it deserves during this crazy and hectic holiday season. If you are still struggling, click here to reach out, and let's get you back on track. For the time being, drink lots of water, exercise in a way that makes you feel like royalty, and eat foods that make you glow.

The holidays are here. Make it a wonderful close to the year by treating yourself kindly. Xx.

P.S. Did you know you get a free 5 Tips to Great Vibes Guide & grocery store printable when you sign up for The Newsletter? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

P.S.S. Have you checked out all of the
other places Emily's spreading the Great Vibes?