It’s a given that the holiday season will be busy. Mostly fun, but really busy.
There’s also no doubt that a busy holiday schedule doesn’t leave a lot of room for workouts. Carving out self-care time can be trickier when there are a million other things that you could or should be doing.
Interestingly, exercise would likely help make the holiday hustle and bustle more manageable. Exercise is a stress reliever. It helps keep weight in check. It can also help you think more clearly and balance your emotions.
“Regular exercise, quality sleep and good nutrition are three important components everyone needs to get through the holidays feeling well,” said Blaine Harbourne, a personal trainer with Endeavor Health Fitness & Wellness Centers.
So, it’s important to realize that, not only is it possible to squeeze in exercise, it’s even more crucial to make time for physical activity this time of year. With the right plan, committing to regular exercise during the holidays can be surprisingly simple.
Try these five tips to stay fit over the holidays:
- Consider a workout buddy. Whether you meet at the gym or take a lunchtime walk, finding someone else who wants to get in daily movement can help keep you both on track.
- Kick the “all-out” mindset to the curb. You don’t have to do a lengthy, involved workout to reap the benefits. Take a few 10-minute walks throughout the day. Find a half hour to do a quick bodyweight workout. Getting some exercise is better than none.
- Schedule your fitness time. Blocking out a half hour on your calendar and planning to exercise makes it more likely you’ll follow through.
- Step up to a challenge. Cold-weather walks are a great way to check out neighborhood lights and get steps in. Set a daily step goal (start with a baseline of 10,000 steps) and put a daily walk on your calendar. Yes, mall walking and holiday shopping count.
- Try interval training. Prefer to stay indoors when it’s cold? Try an interval workout in your living room. Interval training has many variations, but interval workouts or HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workouts are a quick and effective way to fit in exercise when you’re pressed for time. Essentially, HIIT is defined as an exercise performed at a high intensity immediately followed by another low-to-moderate exercise to recover. Sets can be timed or counted by reps. HIIT can be done anywhere with little to no equipment.
Keep holiday stress (and weight gain) at bay by making time for fitness.
