How to Maintain Health During the Holidays: An Athlete’s Guide by Guest Post JVA December 21, 2021 | 3 minutes, 1 second read AlexandraKa via Shutterstock At this time every year, athletes add another important aspect to their lives that can impact their training and performance: celebrating the holidays. With more time dedicated to seeing friends and family, this can be a healthful and restorative period for athletes—a chance to mentally recharge. The holidays, however, bring several temptations that when left unchecked can lead to negative effects on training that outweigh the positive energy during this month. Let’s look into how people tend to overindulge and what strategies you can exercise to maintain fitness through the month. Respect your hard work and discipline during the rest of the year by following these tips! Indulge in moderation. One lavish meal won’t dig you into a hole but a season of calorie-dense meals will, so try to exercise greater vigilance throughout the month. It is unlikely that the one to two pounds the average American gains during the holidays (and doesn’t lose, according to a The New England Journal of Medicine study) comes from a specific meal you had. The hidden calories are in all the little treats throughout the season. Included in that category are peppermint mochas, the candy bowl that sits on the table for the month of December, the endless supply of holiday cookies, and many more parties that involve festive drinks. About JVA The JVA Vision is to be the premier organization to serve all the needs of the Junior Volleyball Community. JVA is the ONLY national association that is 100% focused on junior volleyball and the needs of junior clubs. JVA is the leader in Junior Volleyball Programs and is a voice for junior clubs – your programs and your needs. JVA's number one goal is to help your club programs and events thrive. JVA unites club directors, coaches and educators to improve the junior volleyball experience. More Healthy at Home Articles My Senior’s Lost Spring: A Childhood of Sports Ends in Silent Sadness I won't miss sitting in the bleachers for rainy, cold games, but I wish I could watch him play just one more time. Healthy Kids: Benefits of Physical Activity During Distance Learning When it comes to being active, the key is finding activities you and your kids enjoy doing together. There are a lot of free apps and online resources that can offer ideas. Free Resources for Families & Kids During School Closures Helping Youth Through the Coronavirus Shutdown Find tips to help you and your youth athlete cope No Weights Needed Wrestling Strength Training Exercises There are many benefits to those who participate in a youth wrestling program Past Experiences Helping Future Results South Jersey Elite Baron Soccer utilized an old video challenge to help form their new virtual programs. 7 Ways to Make Family Sports Memories Instead of complaining about it or feeling trapped, I encourage you to make the most of it Tips and Drills to Improve Your Front, Side and Roundhouse Kicks Softball Drills to do by Yourself There are a number of great drills that will allow you to get out there and improve your softball skills on your own, anytime Solo Drills to Improve Your Volleyball Skills Find a windowless wall (like your garage door), chalk a line the height of a net on it, and get practicing Reducing Anxiety to Make Game Day as Good as Practice As a coach, learn how you can help your youth sports athletes reduce anxiety to make game day as good as a practice, for a more mentally prepared team. How to Prioritize Family During a Busy Sports Season There IS a way to prioritize family as well as fill your lives with all things sports. View More Read the Rest of the Article at JVA sports in this article Volleyball tags in this article Athlete Healthy at Home JVA