Should You Use Holiday Yoga For Weight Loss?

Halloween has come and gone and let me tell you it has been quite the fight for, yet ultimately, loss of self-control; I won’t lie to you, I have definitely snuck into my kids treats on several occasions. And odds are, I will probably sneak in a few more times before they are completely gone.
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And with the holidays fast approaching, the temptations become even more enticing. On top of all that, weekends seem to book up fast, with parties, holiday events, and trying to make sure that I have everything that I need to get done completed in time for the holidays.

As a mom, I have to make sure that my two boys are still full-fledged believers of Kris Kringle, so that includes writing letters to him, visits to his workshop, watching Christmas specials on tv and lots of other fun, family holiday traditions.

My youngest also has his birthday ten days before Christmas, so I need to ensure he gets his fair share of celebration. My husband will tell you from experience, his birthday falls the day after Christmas, he knows what it feels like to be forgotten about around the hustle and bustle of the holidays, so I always make certain that they feel like a priority.
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I can’t forget my duties to my mom as well, which include helping her bake cookies, give present ideas, go on shopping trips, as well as help her prepare for visitors that come and go throughout the season.  Through the midst of all this beautiful chaos, very often we forget to take care of ourselves; there just isn’t enough time to be mindful and kind to our bodies.

Control the Chaos with Yoga

I know that sometimes our “oms” can go from the mat to “um, aren’t these cookies delicious?” ​And our regular practice can often be swapped out for more ZZZs in bed, but I am here to tell you that when you least have the time for yoga, that is the time when you need it the most. Yoga is what balances me out, it is what reminds me to treat my body with kindness and not like a garbage can.

Not only are there many food indulgences that we have to be conscious of, but the cost of keeping up with the holiday season can also put a strain on our wallets, and can cause us to become quite stressed. I know I am not the only one out there who knows what it is to eat when I feel stressed, and unfortunately, I end up providing suboptimal food choices for my body.

I constantly have to remind myself that in order to have enough energy to make it through the holiday chaos, I need to fuel my body with the right foods, as well as maintain my yoga practice. So, what do I do to help myself stay on track? Well, even though I love baking throughout the season, I always make sure that I share the wealth of my baking with my family, my parents, and my friends.

I plan my meals well in advance, and I know that if I am going to indulge I balance those treats out with healthy meals. After all, isn’t that what yoga is about, keeping our mind, body, and spirit balanced despite what life throws at us?
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Sometimes, this means having to get up a bit earlier to fit my practice in or even including it before bed. Another great way to make sure I maintain my practice is to go to a scheduled class because if it is scheduled, I am more likely to go to it.
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And call me crazy, but I believe this is the best time to reaffirm the right healthy attitude for your body; when temptations call you from every party and every late night out, now is the time to become inspired to get your health on track. ​

 ‘Tis The Season to Lose Weight?

Amidst the cookies, pot pies, stuffing, mulled wine and eggnog, it can be hard to imagine losing weight as an attainable goal at this time of year. But if we maintain a healthy relationship with our bodies, there is no reason to not believe that we can’t use our yoga for weight loss.

In fact, with all the extra treats and little indulgences, this may even be the perfect time to step up your yoga program so that you feel more invigorated than ever. Using yoga for weight loss can sometimes seem challenging, especially if you have been practicing the same routine regularly, but there are some great options out there to help.

​Urban Fit Yoga offers a wide variety of programs, including an Abs and Booty Burning Class that is more than just your regular yoga class. It blends both Pilates and High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) in order to help burn fat faster; it targets your core and tones your entire body.
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Their Abs and Booty Burning Class is for all levels. So, whether you are a new Yogi or a seasoned pro looking to step up your yoga game, this class will help remind you how to be mindful of not only the food you consume throughout the holidays but how important it is that we treat our bodies with respect. This may just be the class you need to help you lose weight, even if it is during the holidays.

A Time for Appreciation

Sure, this time of year can be crazy, especially for women who often put a lot on their plate, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. The holiday season is meant to be a time when we come together and show our appreciation for one another; just make sure to include yourself with that appreciation.

If you do get off track from being mindful and kind to your body, as I often do during this time of year, don’t fret, yoga will be there to help remind you. Use yoga to help you calm the added stress, to help you lose the weight of those added treats, and to give you that “me time” that we all deserve.

Knowing how important it is to maintain a mindful and respectful relationship with your body should always be your top priority, no matter what time of year it is. Remember that the holiday season is about love for others and compassion for our fellow humankind, but this love and kindness should always begin inside and through ourselves be shared with others.   ​​​​​

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Meet the Author: Danielle L'Ami
Danielle is fascinated by the world and people; she writes her passion and loves to connect with others through her writing. She is a perpetual introvert, loves watching hockey with her husband, smothering her two sons with kisses, and uses yoga to help keep herself balanced.