Tis that time of year again – colder weather, comfy sweaters, Starbuck’s peppermint mochas, office holiday parties, and break rooms overflowing with baked goods and candy. It’s nearly impossible to get through an entire day without the presence of sweet aromas enticing your nose. Add in the emotions of the season and fitness goals tend to go out the window.
Luckily, there are ways around the holiday temptations that will leave you feeling less guilty and one step ahead of that New Year’s resolution. It’s important to enjoy this wonderful time of year, but to do so in moderation.
Here are a few tips to maintain your fitness goals and ward off overindulging at the office:
1. Have a plan of action. Make a commitment to yourself early on in the holiday season that you’re not going to chow down on everything that’s put in front of you. I have found that Evernote helps me. If I bite it, I write it. This helps to keep me accountable for everything I’m choosing to put in my body. Each Evernote automatically gets a date stamp, so you can easily go back and track your workout or see what food made you cave.
2. Drink plenty of water. Our body is often tricked into thinking that it’s hungry when in reality it’s just dehydrated. Water is a great appetite suppressant and constantly sipping all day will curb those cravings. Make sure you grab some water before heading into that next meeting to resist the urge to grab those chocolate muffins.
3. Bring healthy snacks. Small snacks throughout the day will help you avoid extreme hunger and will decrease the likelihood that you’ll raid the doughnut box in the break room. Your metabolism will stay revved up and afternoon sleepiness from consuming too many calories at lunchtime will be a thing of the past.
4. Get out of your seat. Decide to park in the furthest parking spot. Walk to fill up your water bottle in the break room on the other side of the building. Walking burns 3-5 times the calories that sitting does. Take every opportunity available to get out of your seat and walk around the office even if only for a few short minutes.
5. Take the stairs. Did you know that while climbing the stairs, you’re burning an average of 10 calories a minute? Taking the stairs firms up your quads and glutes and increases your bone density. If your office is multi-level, choose to take the stairs the next time you need to run a report up to a colleague.
6. Fidget during web meetings. Take advantage of those online meetings that give you the opportunity to exercise multi-task while participating in the topic at hand. Perform seated calf raises and alternating leg extensions underneath your desk. Tighten and release your glutes and suck in and release your abs without ever leaving your chair. Fidgeting throughout the day will keep your body sharp, focused, and continuing to burn calories. 
Turning down your colleague’s warm fudge brownies is often harder than preparing for that next board meeting. In what ways do you continue your fitness goals while at work? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
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