In various countries all over this beautiful blue planet today, people are queuing up to sort out those last little holiday trifles.  In Europe, stores open early and banks are closed in recognition of this day of goodwill.  In ye olde tymes, Boxing Day was a day to give gifts to those in need or in service positions.  It has since become a shopping day, akin to the US Black Friday, where shoppers can score sweet deals on some sweet merch.

Here in the States, Boxing Day takes on a whole different meaning.  I’m spending the day cleaning up Lego boxes and Amazon boxes and clothing boxes torn apart by eager little hands.  I’m packing up red and green boxes with ornaments and decorations to be stored until next year while demolishing little gold boxes of chocolate.  I’m reboxing items that need to go back to the store; duplicate presents from liked minded friends who know us so well.  And I can’t help but think it a chore.  Grumble all the way.

And this is what won’t fit in the recycling bin.

Two sets of wireless headphones. They know me so well.

The sheer enormity of what needs to be done to get my house, and my health, back in order is daunting.  All I want to do is drink wine and binge watch National Lampoon movies.   I love Christmas.  I’ve watched Love Actually four times this week.  I’ve indulged in sugar cookies and macaroni and cheese and fine alcoholic beverages.  I’ve enjoyed out of town friends and family immensely and laughed until my belly ached.  But today I’m suffering from a holiday hangover.  I haven’t been to the gym in a week, I need a sugar detox and quite frankly, I’ve been buzzed since Monday.  And it’s not even over yet!  I still have to make it through New Years.

I’ve been supposedly involved in this Holiday Health Challenge at my gym.  And I’ve completely let my team down because I have fallen off the wagon in a big way.  I’ve been so good at monitoring myself throughout this year.  I’ve felt healthy and strong and proud of my accomplishments.  In one short week, I’ve given in to this sluggish, lazy, gluttonous routine that I know I need to leave behind but I just can’t find the energy to start.

How, my fitness family, do you avoid the three signs of the apocalypse: sugar, bread, and alcohol?  I am perfectly fine with indulging on this special occasion, but now that it’s winding down, my biggest obstacle is figuring out how to stop.  I have a half-marathon in two weeks!   “Just get back on track”, they say.  Easier said than done, Pinterest.

I need some out of the box ways to get motivated.  How do you recover from the holidays?  Share with me your wisdom, internet world!