Seriously though. I mean it.
Don't be an a**hole this holiday season.
A good chunk of the world will be celebrating the holidays over the next two weeks and fitness people just can't seem to keep quiet.
I am the first to apologize about it. I used to be a fitness holiday a**hole too. Maybe we should get that hashtag going: #fitnessholidaya**hole.
The entire fitness industry decides that the best thing we can do at this time of year is attempt to make your life miserable; by telling you how many stupid things you do, how you don't exercise enough, and how you don't have any willpower. We also tell you that any kind of life enjoyment will make you over fat and probably die. But just as bad is the amount of time trying to get you to do things that simply make you look like an a**hole to everyone else in your life.
There are going to be parties, events, dinners and celebrations.
I'm sorry. I promise not to do that to you anymore.
Did you know that 90 per cent of the population HATES exercise and HATES your constant annoying self-righteousness at their holiday parties?
There are going to be parties, events, dinners and celebrations. Let's be honest. Some holiday cookies and a rum laced eggnog are probably all that will get you through the season without being involved in an incident that will get you a staring role on Criminal Minds.
Then it begins. Trainers, nutritionists, and the rest of the industry start laying into you about what you should be doing to make sure that you don't gain 20 pounds over the holidays.
Most of them seem to forget the basic laws of physiology that tell us gaining 20 pounds of fat over two or three weeks is pretty fucking ridiculous. Sure you could gain some fat, who knows, I bet no one is actually measuring their fat. The scale may inch up but that is mostly water getting retained after consuming half a fruitcake. Wait -- do people actually eat fruitcake?
So the industry rambles on doing it's best to make you feel like a piece of shit or at the very least act like an a**hole. Let's look at some common fitness recommendations this time of year and why you shouldn't follow them!
1. Pack up your own healthy snacks and food so you are sure healthy options are at the party.
What. Seriously? Who thinks this is a good idea? Yeah. Pack up your own food into little containers and show up at the party. Then you can be a fully pretentious a**hole sitting in the corner dunking your carrot sticks in your home made GMO free hummus giving dirty looks to the rest of the party scoffing down traditional holiday fare.
You're not an inspiration. Everyone else is laughing at you. And when you leave the room they are talking about you and how ridiculous you are being.
So you probably won't get invited again next year. And guess what else you did? You just confirmed the worst fears of everyone at the party -- that in order to be healthy you have to avoid everything in life you love and you have to sit in the corner of the room dipping carrot sticks into hummus.
No one actually wants to be that person.
2. If someone asks you why you are making healthy choices, tell them your trainer is making you!
No. Please don't. Don't make people hate fitness coaches and perpetuate the belief that we are all horrible overlords dictating every aspect of your life.
If they ask you, tell them the truth. If you choose not to drink booze or mow down on the baking platter that is your choice. It isn't their business. Just do what you are going to do and own it.
3. Practice table push aways.
The premise: eat and then push yourself away from the table so you theoretically can't eat anymore.
Hey, how about try being a grown up and just stop eating when you are full. Hey, it's Christmas dinner. Enjoy it. Do whatever you want and don't feel guilty about it. It's the holidays. If you eat that much the rest of the year you have problems. Don't blame the holidays.
3. Fast all day, then party.
It's obvious why this is absolutely dumb.
4. Use this as an opportunity to educate others
No. Don't.
Don't sit on your high horse lecturing everyone around you about all the bad decisions they are making and compare them to the super healthy decisions you are making. Making other people feel guilty is only going to make them LESS interested in fitness (trust me).
It's the holidays.
5. Don't go to holiday events
Yes, ignore your friends and family, sit at home, eat your veggie sticks and watch reruns of The Biggest Loser for some motivation.
It's the holidays. You should be with family, friends, and whomever else you enjoy spending time with.
These are just a few common things I see get passed around EVERY SINGLE HOLIDAY. Stop my friends. Just stop.
What should you do this holiday season?
1.Eat, drink, and be merry.
2.Be active every day.
3.Eat your regular healthy food as normal because you aren't at parties 24/7 for three weeks.
We created a 30-Day Challenge (check our Instagram: tayloredtraining or search #TT30daychallenge on IG) designed to build positive habits through the holidays and still help people enjoy themselves. Check it out if you like!
Enjoy yourself. Be with the people who matter to you. Do something active daily. When you are at an event or a party, enjoy it and have a good time.
Don't be a fitness a**hole.
Don't preach. Don't lecture. Be smart, enjoy the season, and keep active. The most important message is that the other 11 and a half months of the year is FAR more important to your health then a few weeks a year celebrating life with those you love.
-Coach Taylor
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