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Monday, November 19, 2018 - 16:34
The days are already getting darker and the nights colder. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, the holiday season is officially upon us.  With the excitement and joy of the holiday season come common side effects that can impact us all, no matter how prepared we feel.  Be warned, the holidays may cause fatigue, stress, weight gain, and even depression and anxiety.  The preventative steps you need for each side effect can be found at FitClub!


  • Weight gain. Starting with Thanksgiving, the desserts, heavy pastries and holiday-themed cocktails seem to be everywhere.  Weight gain can seem unavoidable this time of year.  If you plan ahead and aim for moderation in every area of your life, you can avoid the most common side effect of the holiday season.  Rather than striving for perfection and complete deprivation when the desserts are passed around your Thanksgiving table, strive for a modest portion of a traditional favorite.  Waking up early to take time for yourself with a pre-feast workout at FitClub can also help keep weight gain at bay this year.  FitClub is open at the South and West locations until 1PM on Thanksgiving, giving you a perfect start to your holiday!

  • Depression and anxiety. If you find yourself feeling depressed or more anxious than normal during the holidays, you are not alone.  According to Anxiety and Depression Association of America, almost 75% of Americans report feeling some degree of depression and anxiety during the holiday season.  While feeling depressed during the holidays is not unusual, there are steps you can take to minimize the impact.  Ensuring that you’re taking time for yourself to achieve high quality sleep and complete your workout allows  your brain chemistry to maintain a healthy balance and help you fight off the stress that contributes to general feelings of unease.  It’s not selfish to take time out for yourself during the holidays, it’s crucial.

  • For many people, work doesn’t come to a stop just because the holidays are here.  On top of juggling your already busy work schedule, you probably also have family obligations, holiday parties, and last minute shopping to complete.  The countdown to Christmas begins earlier every year, leaving many of us feeling exhausted before we even sit down for Thanksgiving dinner.  If you’re new to working out, it may seem counterintuitive that hitting FitClub everyday can increase your energy, but that’s exactly what a great workout can do.  Breaking a sweat every day during the holiday season can leave you feeling more energized to tackle that growing to do list and make it through every obligation feeling well.


Not sure how to best minimize the holiday side effects this year?  Stop at the front desk of FitClub and ask to talk to a personal trainer.  Being open about the side effects of the holiday season is a great gift that you can give yourself and everyone around you this holiday season!