Tips for Staying Fit During the Holidays!

Written by Audrey Cook. Published: December 19 2021

With the holidays upon us, many of us are indulging in the decadent holiday desserts and gourmet feasts more than opening presents. Instead of making it a New Year’s resolution to work off the holiday pounds, you can stay on track during this scrumptious season by taking pointers from celebrity trainers.

Tip No. 1 is from Hollywood trainer Kathy Kaehler, who has worked with stars including Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lopez, and Jennifer Aniston. She advises to watch what you drink just as much as you watch what you eat. Holidays are filled with opportunities to enjoy cocktails, but those calories add up and show on the scale. Kathy recommends drinking a glass of water before and after each cocktail to keep hydrated and to keep one feeling full.

Tip No. 2 is applicable year-round and comes from trainer Harley Pasternak, who has worked with Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and Megan Fox. His advice: park a few blocks away from the holiday parties or restaurants you’re going to so you will have to walk a bit both directions, burning off freshly-eaten calories. Also, he has a great tip for attending buffet-style restaurants: “Eat slower; you’ll feel fuller and then by the time you go back, you’ll choose less.”

Tip No. 3: “Give yourself one meal a week. Christmas dinner is only one meal, not a three-day-long event.” These are words of wisdom from Bobby Strom, fitness trainer to Jessica Biel and Britney Spears. As for the days leading up the holidays, Strom says it’s a mind-over-matter process resisting temptation. “Before you eat something think, ‘If it’s not worth it, don’t waste it.’”

Tip No. 4: Jeanette Jenkins has trained celebs Robin Thicke and Kelly Rowland and knows the holiday season generally entails traveling and leaving the gym behind. Her solution: “Do active things with your family and friends like skating, hiking, swimming, skiing, snowboarding, salsa dance classes, touch football, or dancing. This way, everyone can still visit with each other and burn calories at the same time.”

Do you have any other tips on how to stay fit during the holidays? Share with us!