Nov 7, 2014

Five Ways to Stay on Track During the Holidays | Friday Five


We're past Halloween now, so on comes the landslide of Christmas from every angle. Now, I personally keep all the Christmas until the day after Thanksgiving, which isn't easy because I love Christmas time. This week's Friday Five linkup takes a look at the upcoming holiday times. This week's topic is

Five Ways to Stay on Track During the Holidays

Five Ways to Stay on Track During the Holidays

1. Run a Holiday Race (or several)

The first and easiest way to stay on track is to sign up for a race, or in my case several. When you sign up for a race, that's a guaranteed run. With that, hopefully you'll train, which keeps you active around the race. I personally signed up for the BRATS Holiday 5K Series. It's a set of 5K races: one on Thanksgiving day, one in December and one in January. This will help keep me going into the new year.  Each race includes a tech shirt and if you run all three: bling! So why not check out the post for registration information and join me. The best part, if you sign up for a Turkey Trot, you'll run and earn another plate at dinner, without the side of guilt.

2. Get an App

There a plenty of apps out there that you can use to help keep yourself on track. They can provide you check points, tracking, even rewards. I am a member of WeightWatchers, so I use their app to track all that I eat and drink, as well as activity points earned. A popular free tracker is MyFitnessPal. I haven't personally used it, so I can't vouch for it, but it's very popular so it must be doing something right. Before my Force was recalled, I used the FitBit app to track water intake with my steps and it allowed for food tracking as well. It also doesn't stop with tracking your food. I also recently started using HabitRPG, which provides gamification for good habits. I actually am working on a write up on the app, so be on the watch for that.

So get yourself an app, preferably one with notifications to annoy you.

3. Commit to a Challenge

Along side of an app, you can commit yourself to a challenge (which may, in turn, have an app). There are numerous 30 day challenges you can choose to partake in. Or, you could choose to join a DietBet. In DietBet, you put some money down to join a challenge to lose a certain percent of body weight, such as 4% in 4 weeks. If you don't make the goal, you lose your money. If you make your goal, you get your money back, as well as a portion of the money lost by anyone missing the goal. Pretty good deal, if I do say so myself.

4. Daily Review of Mantras

This is something I use day-to-day to keep myself on track. Every morning, I review two things: a set of mantras and a list of why I'm losing weight. Having those reminders help to build my confidence, keep me on task and give me some guidance. All of those things are important to have when trying to keep on track.

5. Ask for Gear for Christmas

Who doesn't love new gear? The holidays is the perfect time to get some new gear. The best part, when you get that new gear, then you'll want to use that new gear. When you use that new gear, then you're active. When you're active, then you stay on track. Q.E.D.

Linking Up

Check here for some links out to others sharing, staring with our three lovely hosts: CourtneyCynthia and Mar. Check their posts (Eat Pray Run DC, You Signed Up for What?! and Mar on the Run to see the full set of links). I will add some others, usually randomly, as I read them to share the love. Go visit and keep reading!


Our hosts:

Mar on the Run

Eat Pray Run, DC

You Signed Up for What?!



40 comments:

  1. Great list! I love the ask for new gear tip! That would be me, wanting to try the new gear ASAP. :)

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    1. Its the equivalent of opening the toy to play with right away. Need to put it to use.

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  2. I think running gear is the only thing on my list for Christmas this year. I need to revise it a bit. But of course I will use everything I get. -L

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    1. Yeah. I have a long ongoing Amazon wish list that is just running gear and clothes. I have to select some to be "on the list" though I of course want them all.

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  3. Good tips! I like the challenge and mantras especially. And I think my in-laws would be surprised if my gift list had anything on it aside from running gear (and maybe the odd kitchen item I wouldn't buy for myself).

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    1. I use the mantras all the time, but especially good over the holiday season.

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  4. Love the annoying app idea! I've gotten immune to my Jawbone UP alarm so I've asked for a Garmin activity tracker my birthday next week. ;-)

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    1. Yeah. There was a section of a little while where I didn't have the WW app reminding me to track my foods, so I'd forget until before bed and then wouldn't have the motivation to track a full day's worth, so it helps me.

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  5. That's awesome that you were able to register for a series of races that keeps you motivated through the holidays! Good luck and enjoy :)

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    1. I'm really looking forward to them. Now to just get out and run a little more.

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  6. Holiday races are a great way to stay healthy during the holidays! I personally have a race every weekend through Dec. 6th :)

    I also like the idea of asking for gear for Christmas. I find that new gear makes me want to run eve more!

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    1. I actually just remember / realized I actually have 4 races over the holidays. The three I mentioned but I also have a race in Williamsburg that my registration got deferred for when the race was moved due to weather, so I have another one on the schedule.

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  7. John, I love this race series that you are a part of; that sounds awesome! I know that we have Thanksgiving Day races and one around Christmas; someone is trying to put together an organized run (maybe not a race, exactly) on New Year's Day, so I'm hopeful that will work out. I also am totally in on getting new gear for Christmas; hard to try it out if I'm too stuffed from overeating. Thanks so much for a great post; hope you have a good weekend!

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    1. It's a pretty cool set of races. I also got in at a great price point. The really early registration was just $20 per race and save $5 on the December one if you bring a Toy for Tots.

      Sounds like some good opportunities to get out for you too.

      Maybe the trying out waits until the next morning, haha. You have a great weekend too.

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  8. I'm a weight watchers member too and the app for food/activity training definitely helps! It also helps me to make sure to go to meetings a this time of year to get that weekly support from other people with similar goals.

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    1. I only do the online version, though there are times I think the meetings could really help, from the accountably and support side of things. In the past when I've stopped WW, it was because I wasn't bothering to track my stuff so why bother paying for it. With the app and reminders, it helps me to remember better, and makes it worth while. I believe WW is great, but only works if you really put the effort into it and are honest about it (like tracking everything).

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  9. oh yeah to asking for gear for christmas!! that's a great tip - a total win/win :) have a great weekend john!

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  10. These days, I'm not sure my family would know to get me anything that isn't running gear :) I like your tip for having a daily reviews of mantras. I just purchased a bracelet from Momentum with my new favorite mantra: Live Fearlessly.

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    1. I love Momentum's Foot Notes. A coordinated pair is on my wish list. I like the DIG DEEP and JUST RUN. They have some cool stuff.

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  11. ask for gear at Christmas?? yes, yes and YES!

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    1. I must admit, that's one of my favorites. Top of the list this year, probably a Sports Kilt. I'm that kind of guy.

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  12. Great tips! I almost always have running gear on my wish list for Christmas, although this year I'm asking for a fancy camera (I'm learning the limitations of just using my iPhone camera) so the fitness gear will probably have to wait until next year!

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  13. Great list John! I second the Christmas gear list :)

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  14. I like points 2 and 3. I use MyFitnessPal and think its pretty easy to use. It integrates with mapmyrun and my fitbit scale and tracks all of that information in one place - which I definitely like. I wrote a post at my blog (http://iamarunner.co/running/5-ways-run-while-traveling/) which echoes #3 above too. I hadn't heard of the app, but recommended that you talk to your friends and family with your running plans. Doing so keeps you accountable to them and makes you get out there. I like the idea of an app with a financial incentive though - pretty neat!

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    1. Yeah. I've only done DietBet once so far, and lost, but I chose to so it too soon after my son was born so wasn't sleeping enough to be active enough and enough sleep to properly rest.

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  15. I love getting new running gear during the holidays. All my family knows they never fail with getting me running clothes or gift certificates to buy shoes.

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    1. It's good to have something like that, something they know they can always get and you'll always enjoy.

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  16. I had the same 1,2,3 tips! #5 is a good one - new gear is always fun and a good way to stay motivated!

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  17. I love it!!! I'm asking for running gear for Christmas this year. Hopefully I'll get my wishes since I was such a good girl.
    Have a great weekend John!

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    1. Sounds like you should. I know a guy with the red suit. I'll put in a good word.

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  18. Love the idea of doing daily mantras!I will have to give that a go. I will be signing up for a few races over the winter to keep moving as well!

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    1. It works pretty well for me. I had trouble remembering to review, but tack on a google calendar reminder and I'm better at it.

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  19. I like your ideas of getting an app and committing to a challenge! And what runner doesn't want new fitness toys and clothing for gifts? :-)

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    1. I'm always for using technology. But it's also my job, so it keeps me employed.

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  20. Great tips! I need to make better use of my apps like myfitnesspal.

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