MensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex
  • Nutrition
  • Style
  • Weight Loss
  • Life
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Motoring
  • Video
MensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex
  • Nutrition
  • Style
  • Weight Loss
  • Life
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Motoring
  • Video
Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic
Watch 0:10

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic

{headline}

{headline}

Australia’s Olympic Kit Has Been Unveiled, Featuring An Indigenous Training Shirt

Australia’s Olympic Kit Has Been Unveiled, Featuring An Indigenous Training Shirt

Brisbane Sets Its Sights On 2032 Olympic Games

Brisbane Sets Its Sights On 2032 Olympic Games

Ben Simmons Is Joining The Boomers Tokyo Olympics Squad

Ben Simmons Is Joining The Boomers Tokyo Olympics Squad

So, What’s Actually Happening With The Toyko Olympics?

So, What’s Actually Happening With The Toyko Olympics?

{headline}

{headline}

Julian Wilson Just Reinvented Surfing. Or Skateboarding. We're Still Not Sure

Julian Wilson Just Reinvented Surfing. Or Skateboarding. We're Still Not Sure

Nike Is Dressing Athletes For The 2020 Olympics Using Recycled Shoe Parts

Nike Is Dressing Athletes For The 2020 Olympics Using Recycled Shoe Parts

5 Exercises You Can Do When You're Staying With Your Family For Christmas

5 Exercises You Can Do When You're Staying With Your Family For Christmas

{headline}

{headline}

The Health Council Is Advising No More Than 10 Drinks A Week, So Steady On

The Health Council Is Advising No More Than 10 Drinks A Week, So Steady On

Why Japan Is The Hottest Ticket In 2020

Why Japan Is The Hottest Ticket In 2020

The Best Christmas Gifts For The Globetrotter

The Best Christmas Gifts For The Globetrotter

17 Of The Best Present Ideas For Men

17 Of The Best Present Ideas For Men

The Best Christmas Gifts For Fitness Lovers

The Best Christmas Gifts For Fitness Lovers

The Best Christmas Presents For Someone Who Likes A Tipple

The Best Christmas Presents For Someone Who Likes A Tipple

The Best Advent Calendars That Will Make Christmas Start On December 1

The Best Advent Calendars That Will Make Christmas Start On December 1

  1. Home
  2. Life

Ditch The Resolutions To Survive The Holiday Period

Two-time Olympic triathlete Courtney Atkinson shares his top eight tips to making it through the festive period a healthier man - by Courtney Atkinson
  • 20 Dec 2017
Ditch The Resolutions To Survive The Holiday Period
Instagram / @courtneyatkinsonathlete

Red Bull ambassador Courtney Atkinson has conquered the harshest terrains on the planet. Having been to the Olympics twice in between running deserts and climbing mountains, he knows how to keep his mind and body in check during even the most difficult periods. Atkinson lends his top eight tips to staying healthy over the Christmas break

Nothing good ever comes from New Year’s resolutions

You may as well just get started now. Everyone waits for New Year, going ‘Yeah I’m going to start this health kick’, but the reality is that these things usually last a week before they’re out the door. Start now.

Consistency always overrules a fad

Start working throughout the holidays. It doesn’t have to be a flat-out fitness regime, just make a start. Make a conscious effort to be more active and perhaps curb your excessive food and drink consumption to just a couple of days, instead of writing off the whole break. You’ll just feel better than if you completely let yourself go and start from scratch again on the first of January. It’s common sense.

Make the most of the free time 

The holidays are the ideal time to try out new active or ‘outdoorsy’ activities to see what you like and start fostering positive new habits. Most of us won’t have to worry about work for a week or two, so if you take 30 minutes or an hour out of that time you’d otherwise be at work and put it towards doing something active, you’re already winning.

courtneyatkinsonathlete View Profile
369 likes - View Post on Instagram
Heading for Cairns with @queensland today... but this was what happened last time I was in town 🏝 #oneweekoneaustralia #Redbull #adventure #thisisqueensland

Get out the door early 

I definitely recommend getting up and out the door early in the day — that can make a huge difference. First off you’ll beat the heat, but most importantly you’ll have the whole day to feel good about that exercise and reap the rewards. It’s so easy to put it off, but something will always pop up that you’d probably rather be doing, especially during the holidays. Just get up, get it done, then get on with your life before the excuses have time to pile up.

Be flexible

The holidays are a time when you might be surrounded by kids or family, so it’s important to be flexible in what you do to help you reach your goal. There’s no point in stressing about not being able to get a run in because someone’s suggested a round of family cricket at the beach — just step up your game and make sure you get a sweat up when you play. Whether you go for a surf, kick a ball around in the park or go for a bike ride, whatever it is, anything active is better than sitting on your arse and watching the footy.

Establish a healthy, active tradition

Around a lot of coastal Australia, some families head down the beach first thing on Christmas day. It’s just what they do. Other people might go for a big family walk after lunch or a mid-morning bike ride—whatever it is, an annual active tradition that whole family can get involved in is a great idea.

courtneyatkinsonathlete View Profile
718 likes - View Post on Instagram
Location, location, location. Where to 🏃 📷: @fip_ster

Stick to the 80-20 rule

When it comes to food and drink, I just live by the 80-20 rule. If you spend five days just eating crap, drinking and not exercising — of course you’re going to have to deal with the consequences. Again, it’s common sense. Personally, I’m a big believer in balance. You can’t just live like a monk, especially around the holidays. It’s a time of the year to be celebrating. But rather than snacking on junk throughout the whole holiday period, just try and avoid it for 80 per cent of the time, and indulge 20 per centof the time. It’s just about being sensible. 

Eat because you enjoy it, not because it’s there

It’s not really the big lunch that’s the problem over the holidays, it’s all the stuff you end up eating and drinking around it. That’s where the damage is done. When there’s a surplus of food and snacks and sugary stuff all over the place, people tend to just mindlessly eat it because it’s there. Try and minimise the temptation by not leaving chocolates and sweets out for the sake of it. And when you wake up on December 27th, perhaps think about purging the house of any leftover calorific stuff. Out of sight, out of mind (and of off waistline!)

Courtney Atkinson is a Redbull Ambassador and two-time Olympic Triathlete.

  • Health
  • Life
  • Travel

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Recommended to you

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic
Watch 0:10

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic

{headline}

{headline}

Australia’s Olympic Kit Has Been Unveiled, Featuring An Indigenous Training Shirt

Australia’s Olympic Kit Has Been Unveiled, Featuring An Indigenous Training Shirt

Brisbane Sets Its Sights On 2032 Olympic Games

Brisbane Sets Its Sights On 2032 Olympic Games

Ben Simmons Is Joining The Boomers Tokyo Olympics Squad

Ben Simmons Is Joining The Boomers Tokyo Olympics Squad

So, What’s Actually Happening With The Toyko Olympics?

So, What’s Actually Happening With The Toyko Olympics?

{headline}

{headline}

Julian Wilson Just Reinvented Surfing. Or Skateboarding. We're Still Not Sure

Julian Wilson Just Reinvented Surfing. Or Skateboarding. We're Still Not Sure

Nike Is Dressing Athletes For The 2020 Olympics Using Recycled Shoe Parts

Nike Is Dressing Athletes For The 2020 Olympics Using Recycled Shoe Parts

5 Exercises You Can Do When You're Staying With Your Family For Christmas

5 Exercises You Can Do When You're Staying With Your Family For Christmas

{headline}

{headline}

The Health Council Is Advising No More Than 10 Drinks A Week, So Steady On

The Health Council Is Advising No More Than 10 Drinks A Week, So Steady On

Why Japan Is The Hottest Ticket In 2020

Why Japan Is The Hottest Ticket In 2020

The Best Christmas Gifts For The Globetrotter

The Best Christmas Gifts For The Globetrotter

17 Of The Best Present Ideas For Men

17 Of The Best Present Ideas For Men

The Best Christmas Gifts For Fitness Lovers

The Best Christmas Gifts For Fitness Lovers

The Best Christmas Presents For Someone Who Likes A Tipple

The Best Christmas Presents For Someone Who Likes A Tipple

The Best Advent Calendars That Will Make Christmas Start On December 1

The Best Advent Calendars That Will Make Christmas Start On December 1

MensHealth
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe to Digital
  • Terms
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe to Digital
  • Terms
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement

Brands

  • Women's Health

Our Network

  • Paragon Media Pty Ltd
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Men's Health

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe Now-

Shop This Offer
Subscribe Now