Thanksgiving has come and gone, the first snowflakes have already flown, and the holiday season looms.

It's a time of year when being lazy seems so easy to do.

Not to mention the urge to eat a little more.

Paired together, inactivity and poor nutrition can wreak havoc on your athletic ability.

For those with a light winter sports schedule, the next few months could be problematic, or they could be what propels you to a great 2026.

Especially if you avoid the 4 common mistakes most others make.

Stay Off The Treadmill, Sprint Instead

Do you know why people don't typically tell you they're 'Going out for a sprint?'

Because it's difficult, and most can't do it without injuring themselves.

Also, though, it doesn't feel like its accomplishing as much.

Jogging is simpler and more painful, giving a false sense that you're doing transformative work.

Except it doesn't require high levels of coordination.

Or force your tendons and fascia to become bouncier, which improves your speed and jumping power.

What it does do is negatively alter your sprint mechanics.

Sprinting, and agility training, gives you tons of athletic benefit while filling the 'stay in shape' bucket, too.

Regulate Your Eating With A Strong Breakfast & 2 Veggie Servings

According to one study, the average American gained nearly 5 extra pounds during the holidays in 2024.

If you're prone to a sweet tooth getting the best of you, try these proven appetite regulators this year.

Start the day with a healthy, full breakfast.

Few people wake up starving, but your body is in need of some nutrient replenishment in the morning.

Give your body the nutrients it desires - protein, vitamins and minerals - so the accumulated hunger signals won't sabotage your eating later in the day.

Also, be extra mindful of getting your two daily vegetable servings in.

Their fiber content contributes mightily to regulating appetite.

Get ahead of your cravings, and eat foods that truly fill you.

Get Stronger

You don't need beach weather to hit the weights.

Lighter sports schedules create an opportunity to channel that extra energy towards developmental needs that take time to noticeably affect.

Like getting stronger.

Plus, you won't have to worry as much about workout soreness negatively impacting your game performance.

One solid winter of growth can totally re-shape your game.

Master New Sport Skills

During his playing days, NBA legend Larry Bird would devote each offseason to improving one key part of his game.

Maybe it was using his opposite hand more, or focusing on three point shooting.

The skill and the sport don't really matter, what does is the idea.

You completely dive into turning one part of your game from a weakness to a strength.

Do it this year, and you have a brand new weapon for every future season of your career.

Do it every year, and in time you develop into an unstoppable force, as Bird became.

There are plenty of ways a gap in your competition schedule can be put to good use.

You don't have to do anything, of course, because simply getting recovery time after a packed year of competition will help a ton on its own.

But let that be a conscious choice, not one imposed on you by a lack of ideas on how to best use your down time.