3 Holiday Weight Loss Mistakes This Coach Stopped Making
Are you on a fat loss journey but are worried your progress will get derailed over the holidays? Don't be, says one expert. Riva Siggins is an online coach who "loves food and movement." She regularly shares tips on the best ways to burn fat and build muscle with her hundreds of thousands of followers. In a new post, she discussed how she manages to stay on track over the holidays while still enjoying herself. "In 2.5 years, I've transformed my physique, but in this time, I've had time off the gym, not tracked at Christmas, been on holidays, and skilled workouts. Here are three reminders as we head into Christmas," she captioned the Instagram post.
1. You Don't Have to Track Calories Over the Holidays
You don't have to track calories all the time. "It's okay to take time away from tracking. Yes, tracking calories can be helpful across the year to help you get to your goals quicker, but it is something I'll never do around Christmas again. When I was struggling with bingeing 4 years ago, I thought tracking would help, but all it did was increase my food focus and make me spiral even more," she writes.
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She Takes a Break
Riva reveals that she takes a break over the holidays. "For the last few years, I've never tracked around Christmas, but I've still made great progress. Remember that food is more than numbers, and tracking around Christmas is likely to make you feel less present," she says.
2. Take a Break From the Gym
Next, you don't have to maintain your exercise routine. "You won't undo all your progress this year from some time off the gym. I won't be in the gym 5 days in between Christmas and New Year. Why? Because I'm going away with my boyfriend and dog to Norfolk, and I want to enjoy every second with them, seeing Vinny running along the fields, going to the local pubs and cooking yummy dinners," she says.
But, You Should Still Move
Instead, try to get some steps in. "I'll still go for walks and a few runs because the gym will be there when I'm back, and I'm so okay with that. I'll be physically refreshed, ready to smash my next training block," she says.
3. Focus on Doing What Makes You Happy
Don't feel like you have to follow in other people's fitness footsteps. "You have to do what makes you feel your best. Just because you follow someone who is going to the gym on Christmas Day doesn't mean you should feel bad for not going. Everyone should do what makes them their happiest," she says.
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She Runs and Walks Because It Clears Her Head
"I move my body because it makes me feel so good and clears my head, but I'm also completely fine with taking some time away from the gym and enjoying some different forms of movement around Christmas," she says. This includes "some runs in the countryside with Alex and dog walks with Vinny away in Norfolk." And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.
