6 Tips to Stay on Track: Health Goals for the Holidays
The holiday season is full of joy, family gatherings, and delicious treats. But let’s face it—it’s also one of the most challenging times to stay on track with your health and wellness goals. With packed schedules and endless temptations, it’s easy to let your self-care routines slide. The good news? With a little planning and intention, you can enjoy the holidays while still making progress toward your goals.
Here are some tips to help you stay on track:
1. Prioritize What Matters Most
Not every holiday event or indulgence deserves your time or attention. Focus on the activities and traditions that truly bring you joy and align with your values. Whether it’s a family dinner or a cozy movie night, choose quality over quantity. By setting priorities, you can reduce stress and create space for your wellness routines.
Pro Tip: Use a Refined Weekly insert to map out your commitments and highlight time blocks for workouts, meal prep, or quiet self-care moments. Check out Mastering Prioritization: The MoSCoW Method for Busy Working Moms for extra help with prioritization.
2. Stay Active in Fun Ways
The holidays are the perfect time to get creative with your exercise routine. Swap a gym session for a family walk after dinner or a playful snowball fight with the kids. The goal is to keep moving—even if it doesn’t look like your usual workout. My exercise will probably look like yard work, but it’s honestly one of my happy places, working around our property.
Small Steps:
- Take the stairs when shopping for gifts.
- Schedule a morning yoga session to set a calm tone for the day.
- Join a holiday-themed fun run or community fitness event.
3. Plan Ahead for Healthy Choices
Holiday meals don’t have to derail your goals. Before heading to a party, eat a balanced snack to curb hunger and make mindful choices. If you’re hosting, include a mix of indulgent treats and lighter options so everyone, including you, has something nourishing to enjoy.
Action Plan:
- Use the Declutter Your Mind insert to jot down healthy recipes and plan your grocery shopping.
- Prep meals in advance for busy weeks so you’re less tempted to rely on fast food.
4. Set Realistic Goals
The holidays aren’t the time to aim for perfection. Instead of setting overly ambitious goals, focus on maintaining your current habits or making small, achievable improvements. For example, aim to drink an extra glass of water daily or add a serving of veggies to each meal.
Use Your Planner: The Refined Goals insert is perfect for breaking big aspirations into manageable steps. Write down one or two small goals for the season and track your progress.
5. Schedule Time for Yourself
Between the gift shopping and social events, it’s easy to forget about self-care. Dedicate time each week to recharge—whether it’s through journaling, taking a bubble bath, or enjoying a quiet cup of tea by the fire.
Reflect and Reset: At the end of each week, use the reflection section in the Refined Weekly insert to celebrate your wins and adjust for the week ahead.
6. Give Yourself Grace
Life happens, and some days won’t go as planned. Instead of feeling guilty about missing a workout or indulging in a holiday treat, remind yourself that balance is key. One slip-up won’t undo all your progress—what matters is getting back on track.
Mindset Matters: Write an affirmation in your planner, such as, “I am making choices that honor my health and happiness,” to stay motivated.
Bonus: Build Accountability
Share your goals with a friend or join a supportive community to stay motivated. For example, our Chaos Coordinator Community is filled with like-minded individuals who can cheer you on and share their own tips and tricks.
Ready to Take the First Step?
The holiday season doesn’t have to derail your health and wellness goals. With tools like the Refined Weekly, Refined Goals, and Declutter Your Mind inserts, you can stay organized and focused on what truly matters.
Want to make planning even easier? Check out our Personal Goals Bundle, which includes all three inserts to help you thrive this holiday season and beyond. Available now through January 21, 2025! Shop the bundle here.
Let’s make this holiday season one where you feel your best and start 2025 strong!