It feels like a lot of us have a complicated relationship with our bodies and movement and food during the last three months of the calendar year. (Happy October, btw!)
On the one hand, in a lot of parts of the world it’s getting cooler and we feel like cocooning and just snuggling on the couch and watching sports while wearing bulky sweaters and elastic-waist pants. On the other hand, it’s the season with hot and cold running delicious foods and drinks and cultural pressure to eat a lot as part of traditions and celebrations. On the invisible hand, the end of the year is a time to power through our goals and set goals for the next year, so if we’re going to continue with athletics and taking care of our bodies now is certainly the time to do it.
Last year I had a big breakthrough about holiday food. I realized that there are some holiday foods that I absolutely love, but a lot of them that I’d been eating out of a feeling that it was That Time Of Year so I was supposed to eat that food. But I didn’t really love it all that much. So I made my policy that if I really wanted to eat something I would, but if I was just kind of meh about something I would politely refuse.
Guess what? No one cares if you don’t eat something. That was a big revelation. I wasn’t letting anyone down by not eating any given cookie or serving of stuffing or box of peanut brittle.
I gained no weight during the holiday season last year, just by only eating things I actually wanted to eat. (Genius, no? Eyeroll.)
So this year I’m ramping it up by pushing through with my athletic goals to the end of the year. I’m training to do a 10K at the beginning of November. (I can’t actually currently run 6 miles, but am working on it and will be there by the race day.) And I’ve got a few friends committed to running a 5K Turkey Trot with me on Thanksgiving morning.
I still need a push goal for December, though. I’m taking suggestions. Preferably for things that can be done indoors. (I have access to an indoor track and a pool.)
What’s your relationship with your body at the end of the year? Do you keep exercising? How do you feel about holiday foods? What’s something physical you’d like to be able to do by December 31?
I let myself fluctuate 7lbs through the end of the year. I have my summer bathing suit weight and then I relax a bit through the winter and eat more dessert. One thing I’ve learned is that I can never not do anything. My body needs to move and I need endorphins in order to prevent myself from slipping into depressive funks.
My husband always has said to me (jokingly) when you look good you feel good. His words have been true for me, taking care of myself makes me feel good.
I don’t get crazy for holiday foods, but I love to bake with the kids and make tons and tons of cookies. I try to give as many away as possible or to entertain so I have people to share them with.
My running has been steadily improving, but my goal is to gain a firmer muscle core. I want to be able to do 25 solid push-ups (not the wimpy kind) and to be able to manage a plank and to move into a low plank and be able to hold it. Also I have some yoga poses that I want to accomplish.
Ok. I’m going back to yoga. You convinced me.
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