🎄 12 Days of Fitmas: How to Thrive (Not Just Survive) This Season
Can you believe we are officially 12 days away from Christmas? If you are anything like me, you might be feeling a mix of excitement and "festive panic". Most years, I feel a self-imposed pressure to do it all, eat it all, enjoy it all, and somehow not lose track of my fitness goals. But here is the truth: those two weeks in December are not going to set back all the progress you made over the other 50 weeks of the past year. As long as you are consistent for most of the year, those 2 weeks of festive indulgence should not be something to worry about. As long as you pick up your healthy routines after the holidays, you will be grand! So this you, we aren't "burning off" our Christmas dinner. We are fueling our lives. Here are my top 12 tips to help you enjoy the festivities while keeping your metabolism happy and your mind clear.
Lift2Last
12/13/20253 min read
The 12 Days of Fitmas Strategy 🎁
1. Connection is the Ultimate Health Hack
Research tells us that strong social connections are a primary pillar of longevity. The holidays are, first and foremost, about spending time with the people you love. Laughing lowers cortisol, and hugging releases oxytocin (the "feel-good" hormone). If you worry about calories while hugging your grandma, you’re missing the point. So be present in the moment and enjoy the time with your family, friends, and loved ones.
2. On the "Feast Day", Lift Heavy in the Morning
This is my favorite secret weapon. On the day of your big Christmas dinner, try to get in a heavy leg day or compound lifting session before the meal. Your muscles will act like a sponge, soaking up those extra carbohydrates to replenish glycogen and repair tissue rather than storing it as fat. So put those festive calories to work this season for your gains!
3. Prioritize Protein on Your Plate
When you serve yourself, put the turkey or ham first on your plate. Protein is the most satiating macronutrient and will prevent you from overeating on some of the more carb or fat-heavy side dishes.
4. Fiber is Your Second Best Friend
After eating your protein, focus on veggies before the mashed potatoes. Not only will the fiber from vegetables help with feeling full, but fiber also creates a viscous mesh in your gut that slows down the absorption of sugar and fat into your bloodstream. It’s nature’s way of keeping your energy stable.
5. Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate
Alcohol and salty foods are dehydrating. Often, we interpret thirst as hunger. Aim for a glass of water between every alcoholic drink. It keeps your cells hydrated and helps your liver process the "fun" drinks more efficiently.
6. Don't Skip Breakfast
It is tempting to "save calories" for dinner, but fasting often leads to a blood sugar crash and bingeing later. If this is hard for you, try to eat at least a small, high-protein breakfast (think eggs or full-fat Greek yogurt). Protein stimulates Peptide YY, a gut hormone that makes you feel full, reducing the likelihood of overeating at the dinner table.
7. Walk 10-Minute Post-Meal
After the big meal, grab a cousin, your partner, or the entire family for a walk. Research shows that walking for just 10 minutes after eating significantly blunts the glucose spike in your blood. It aids digestion and helps regulate your insulin response. And on top of that, it is a great fun way to get some activity after sitting down for hours. In my house, this has become more of a tradition than a "hack" with everyone enjoying the time outside together.
8. Protect Your Sleep
Poor sleep raises ghrelin (the hunger hormone) and lowers leptin (the fullness hormone). If you are sleep-deprived, you will crave more sugar. Now, don't kill the festive spirits of the evening by going to bed early or sending people home! It is okay to have one or two days with less sleep during the festivities. Try to stick to your sleep schedule during the week before as much as possible, so that your body is well rested before Christmas Eve.
9. Mindful Eating over Mindless Snacking
It takes about 20 minutes for your brain to register fullness. Don't rush the dinner; there will be plenty of food, and most families will have leftovers for days. It is not a competition to eat the most amount of food. So put your fork down between bites, pay attention to enjoy the different textures and tastes of each dish. You’ll likely feel satisfied with less food, and you’ll actually enjoy the food more!
10. Forget the "All-or-Nothing" Mindset
One indulgent meal, or even a full week of meals, does not ruin your health, just like one salad doesn't make you fit. If you overindulge, don't spiral. Just get back to your normal high-protein, whole-food routine the very next meal or day.
11. Magnesium for Stress
Yes, for some, the holidays are fun but stressful. Preparing the house for guests, family that stay over, cooking the dinner, decorating the tree, and much more. Stress depletes magnesium, which is crucial for muscle recovery and relaxation. Consider a magnesium glycinate supplement or an Epsom salt bath to keep your nervous system regulated if you are specifically susceptible to stress during these festive days.
12. Move in Fun Ways
Finally, Exercise isn't just about smashing it in the gym. Dancing in the kitchen, playing tag with the nieces and nephews, or carrying boxes, it all counts. Keep your body moving in ways that bring you joy.
The Bottom Line:
Enjoy the cookies. Enjoy the wine. But most importantly, enjoy the life your strong body allows you to live.
Which of these tips are you going to prioritize this year?
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026
Do you want to make New Year's Resolutions in 2026 that you will actually stick to? Are you tired of the yearly January "Restart" and want to actually learn how to train for your long-term health? Let's talk!
I’m now accepting applications for 1:1 personal coaching starting in January 2026 for men and women who want to get strong for life
