December! What a joyous time of year.

It seems I get to tell you, once again, all about balance and Christmas and food and working out.

The rules remain the same: be consistent!

Every year, Christmas rolls around and the questions roll in. How do I find balance during the holiday season? How much alcohol is too much? What about weekday parties?

There is no doubt that a Bermuda Christmas is simply amazing. The job Christmas parties, gatherings, strolls, late-night shopping, Hallmark Christmas movie nights … the list goes on and on.

Why, though, do we have to ask about balance each year as if the rules have changed? The best thing about fitness and wellness is their consistency. The rules never change. Consistency throughout your journey with scheduled peaks and accepted lows will always result in progress.

Having said all of that, I want to spread a different message that is outside of the norm of working out, skipping the second plate of food or one less glass of wine all with the mindset of fitness goals.

What if this season, your goal was simple: live your life to its fullest surrounded by those you love and who love you, soaking in all of their positivity and heart-warming laughs and hugs.

What if this year you stopped stressing about how many sessions you can successfully complete during the holiday season, becoming upset if you missed one, but rather remain consistent as you have all year – with the added bonus of a Christmas movie, hot cocoa and quality time with your kids in the evening.

A fitness and wellness journey is about much more than fitness; most of us forget about the wellness aspect. Time well spent surrounded in love will do wonders for your mindset, making it that much easier to commit to yourself, working out as best you can, eating as healthy as you can, knowing that your best self serves you well and those around you.

I am suggesting that maybe, just maybe, it’s time you stop asking about balancing your fit life and your holiday life. For the past 11 months you found a schedule and balance that worked for you – maintain that, don’t change it but do be receptive of how life flows during the holidays. Don’t stress it, enjoy the flow and the love being spread.

Life is most definitely too short. For the second Christmas season we are experiencing Covid-19 and its variants which have brought so much loss of life. This could very well be your first holiday season without a loved one. This in itself is a reminder to live your life unapologetically, find a fitness regime that works for you, remove the stress and enjoy your loved ones. Wellness!

Happy Wednesday fitfam! Let’s embrace December with open arms, open hearts and a willingness to just live our lives stress free. Remember to make wellness a priority in your journey this Christmas season and always.

Dre Hinds is a retired track and field athlete who is now a personal trainer, aerobic and yoga instructor and fitness “addict”. Contact her on: absbydre@gmail.com, 599-0412 or @Absbydre on Facebook and Instagram