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 Page Turners for Coaches and Learners: Books Worth Your (Down) Time Football coaches with unexpected free time this spring can stay sharp during downtime with favorite coaching books of USA Football staff members. Super Soccer Stars Went Digital With Virtual Classes & Live Streaming Services Super Soccer Stars digital programs they have already helped over 10,000 children a week play soccer from the convenience of their homes At-Home Solo Lacrosse Drills Don’t have a partner? Doesn’t matter. These drills can all be done solo, in your backyard or otherwise! Lessons Learned After One Year of COVID-19 It’s been a full year since the COVID-19 pandemic began, forcing coaches, parents, and athletes to change how they viewed team sports. Why Parks and Rec Departments Have a ‘Unique Opportunity’ to Reclaim Youth Sports 6 Wrestling Drills You Can Do From Home Without A Mat Or Partner There are ways to train and get better even if you are home alone Supporting Each Other Through Tough Times As human beings, we have our own version of this called an Emotional Tank. If our tank is full of positive inputs and encouragement the better positioned we are to achieve success 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. “Social Distancing” Allows Athletes to Prepare 5 Easy Ways for Young Athletes to Practice Gratitude Gratitude can be practiced just like standard skills and drills, leading to both performance and general wellness benefits. 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. Stryker Using Virtual Workouts and Check-Ins to Stay On Track How to keep your athletes engaged virtually from home View More Read the Rest of the Article at JVA sports in this article Volleyball tags in this article Athlete Healthy at Home JVA