Jordan Fliegel
CEO and Founder of CoachUp, also a CoachUp basketball coach
My secret to staying healthy over the holidays: It’s important to relax and spend time with family over the holidays, so I try not to be too hard on myself when it comes to staying fit. That being said you should try to do something active even if it’s not up to your usual intensity level. Depending on my plans or events for the day, I’ll aim to do something active in the morning. If it’s a busy day, I’ll take my dog, DJ, for a walk or I’ll run around and play with him at the park. If it’s especially cold, I’ll try to get to the gym to play some basketball, something I enjoy and will look forward to doing. I think making exercise plans social gives you something to look forward to and holds you accountable to your workout.
At parties, I try not to show up to a party ravenously hungry, so I’ll have a snack beforehand to hold me over. That way if I see a delicious appetizer, I know I want to savor it and not just eat it in order to quiet hunger pangs. I’m big on protein and cruciferous veggies, zeroing in on this kind of appetizer will make you feel full without the bloat that processed foods induce. I also recommend avoiding sugary mixers with alcohol. If you are drinking, alternate 1 drink with 1 glass of water to prevent dehydration.
Mostly importantly, focus on catching up with family or meeting new friends. Be present and make the most of spending time together. Between filling protein, veggies, water and engaging conversation, you won’t even notice the desserts. More realistically, you’ll probably skip desserts seconds.
My holiday indulgence: Pie. I absolutely love pie, especially apple and pecan pie.