Staying fit during the holidays: not diet but lifestyle

The holidays are a moment of joy, to enjoy some time for yourself, to unwind from daily stress and also to spoil yourself with some extra delicacies.

Precisely because you have the opportunity to take care of yourself more calmly, the idea of staying fit during the holidays is very healthy and correct, and can be carried out without restrictions and without experiencing it as a punishment, on the contrary.

Healthy recipes for the holidays: cook and enjoy

First of all, especially during the holidays, we say no to pre-cooked foods, extremely industrial products full of preservatives.

Cook your own meals, starting from fresh and natural, seasonal raw materials, perhaps integrating rich superfoods of benefits that we love most, it is the best way to appreciate more what we put on our plate.

We need to focus on quality, not quantity: on the scent, on the colors we bring to the table, on the memories that some dishes of the Christmas period bring to mind.

This is the best way not to overindulge: the holidays must not be an excuse to eat immoderately or disorderly. Enjoying good home cooking and a few more desserts than usual is fine, without stress and without guilt, but overdoing it could lead to indigestion and stomach fatigue.

Staying fit during the holidays: staying active

Controlling only calorie intake is, however, limiting: our body works like a perfect machine, which needs fuel to function and burns it to produce energy and carry out all daily activities.

During the holidays, therefore, don't interrupt the workouts that you are used to: whether it's yoga, weights, running or cycling, make the most of the time you have for yourself and treat yourself to the well-being given a nice training session.

Above all, never see it as a punishment or a way to burn calories – this is a necessary consequence but it doesn't have to be what drives you to exercise.

On the contrary, doing sport is a real rush of endorphins, which will make you feel in a good mood and satisfied with yourself, improving the health of the body from many points of view.

EAT and NEAT activities to do on holiday

Physical activity is divided, in fact, according to a categorization typical of the fitness world, into EAT and NEAT. Let's see what these two acronyms mean.

The termEAT (Exercise Activity Thermogenesis) indicates the actual training, regardless of what it is your favorite sport.

The simple walk with Fido, however, is one of those activities called in technical jargon NEAT (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis), i.e. daily activities, which do not derive from codified physical exercise, but which still allow you to activate thermogenesis and stay fit.

What are they? Practically everything that keeps you active every day: being able to complete the famous 8,000/10,000 daily steps, even just going to the grocery store or taking the stairs instead of the elevator to get to your floor, or cleaning, playing with your children, taking care of the plants and gardening in the yard.

Superfoods to help you stay fit during the holidays

Healthy dishes, a bit of sport and staying active: this is the formula for feeling good during the holidays.

But it is possible to enhance its benefits thanks to the superfoods: maca e spirulina, for example, are energizing and support metabolic activity, that is, the body's ability to function at its best and transform food into energy.

The Manuka honey is antibacterial and strengthens the immune system, the psillio contributes to gastrointestinal well-being, the moringa is rich in essential minerals, the açai of precious antioxidants, as well as the matcha tea, and raw cocoa is good for the mood, with its micronutrients and its delicious flavor!