Ask An Expert: Fitness Guru Liz Letchford's Holiday Health Tips

While the holiday season is usually spent spreading cheer and spending time with loved ones, it can also mean indulging in unhealthy foods, dealing with financial stress and leaving little time for mental and physical health.

Luckily, a new year is right around the corner! And when it comes to health and fitness-related holiday tips, as well as resolutions that you can actually stick to in 2019, we decided to call in the experts for some advice.

Liz Letchford is a passionate and light-hearted athletic trainer currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology and Clinical Biomechanics. When she's not sharing her unique and diverse expertise in the fields of healthcare and movement sciences, she's leading her own signature mobility and recovery class, The Release at The Assembly in San Francisco.

That doesn't mean the fitness guru never indulges during the holiday season. Letchford knows that unhealthy foods are inevitable this time of year and suggests "adding in whole, unprocessed foods, eating tons of vegetables and staying hydrated with water."

When it comes to resolutions, Letchford already has an idea of her goals for the new year, and recommends picking one goal to fully immerse yourself in."You only have so much willpower, don’t spend it all in one place," says Letchford.

Letchford let us in on all her secrets on how to stay healthy over the holidays and start 2019 off on the right foot. Read them now, and your mind and body will thank you later:

What are some health and fitness-related resolutions that you can actually stick to this year?

My biggest advice when it comes to resolutions is to start with one. Pick one, single goal. Either make a drastic change to your diet or make a drastic change to your exercise routine. Start with one thing, get the hang of it and allow the other to naturally follow. You only have so much willpower, don’t spend it all in one place!

Do you have any suggestions on getting back to a healthy lifestyle (mentally and physically) after the holidays?

The holidays are certainly filled with joy and warmth, but can also be filled with extra sugar, alcohol, (in-laws) and other inflammatory things. These can wreak havoc on your gut, which influences how both your mind and body function. Focus on adding in whole, unprocessed foods, eating tons of vegetables and staying hydrated with water. As you begin adding fiber from vegetables, eliminating sugar from your diet, and hydrating your tissues, you will feel better physically and mentally. Take care of that gut and it will take care of you!

Any tips on managing stress during the holidays and into the new year?

Don’t underestimate the power of taking a few moments for yourself. When I start to get overwhelmed by the annual holiday chaos of family, Christmas parties, obligations and financial stress, I take a few deep breaths, tune out the world and tune into my body. If that doesn’t work, I excuse myself to take a little break where I’ll take a shower, take a nap, or take a trip to Hawaii. Take whatever you need to take, as long as it isn’t hostages.

Where are the best spots to exercise and get in shape around San Francisco?

The city is ripe with outdoor jungle gyms, like the Lyon street steps, the Marin Headlands, or Crissy Field. When it comes to group fitness, I love rock climbing at Mission Cliffs, hanging out at The Assembly (try a STRONGER class or unwind with my signature class, The Release). My favorite yoga spots are The Pad Studios (Try Lauren Cohen’s Soul Flow to bliss out) and Love Story Yoga (literally any teacher will leave you drenched in sweat and tears).

Where are some of your favorite spots to de-stress around San Francisco?

Onsen is a Japanese bath house where I will go to escape the world. It is a beautiful and calm place to re-center. Or I’ll head to any of the beautiful, museums or historic places scattered around San Francisco. Otherwise, I’ll get out to nature — Lake Tahoe at any time of year is where my soul can breathe.

What’s your health or wellness-related New Year’s resolution?

Starting in January, I will be beginning a 12-week fat loss program with a few of my friends and clients. I am looking forward to prepping my meals, encouraging my community and working hard towards an important goal!

When you DO indulge over the holidays, what’s the one cheat meal or snack that’s totally worth it?
Oh, yes! Espresso martinis, please!

Main Image Credit: Liz Letchford