For many, finding the time and energy to devote to physical fitness during the holidays is extremely difficult. Between traveling, shopping, cooking and cleaning, it may seem nearly impossible to get up, get moving and invest in a fulfilling workout.
Although the holiday season can be infamous for getting us off-track with our plans for health and fitness, this doesn’t have to be the case for you! With effective time management and strategic tools for staying focused, holiday fitness can be yours with a few simple tips.
Don’t Let Fitness Slip Away… Try these Healthy Holiday Tips!
Despite the busy end-of-year season, these healthy tips can ward off the negative effects that come from a lack of exercise – especially if you’re used to maintaining your own fitness regimen during less stressful times of the year.
Stick to Your Routine – First and foremost… if you already have a routine, don’t stray from it. Whether you’ve devoted specific times of the day to work out or you’ve planned the exact exercises you want to do to meet your fitness goals, make your standard routine a priority! Not only will you stay on track, but you’ll feel better about sticking to your healthy habits.- Make the Most Out of Your Last-minute Shopping Trips – If you’ve still got a lot of holiday shopping to do, you may be surprised at how those extra bursts of movement add up.
Try squeezing the most distance out of your shopping trips
by parking at the back of the parking lot, walking around the store, carrying your items rather than pushing them in a cart, and so on. - Stretch it Out – This is one workout essential that is too often overlooked. Stretching will not only help you relieve stress, but it will help prepare your muscles for all of your extra physical activity – from fitness AND from simply being on-the-go during the holidays!
Hit the Gym – Depending on where you live, some gyms tend to clear out during the holidays because people often struggle to find time for exercise. This may be the perfect time to invest in a gym workout! Set aside some time when you’ve got some extra energy and refuel your fitness tank with a quality workout. Plus, some gyms might even offer special annual membership renewal deals for the holidays! What can a gym offer for your fitness goals? CLICK HERE to find out.
Get Up Early – We tend to lose momentum as the day goes on, and this is especially true this time of year. To avoid burnout that results in skipping your workouts, try fitting in exercise early on in the day. You can do this after you wake up, before breakfast, or even before lunch. Just don’t let the energy you expend during the day overpower your motivation to get active with fitness!- De-stress with Yoga – Don’t let holiday stress wear you out, because burnout can detract from your goals. Try adding yoga or other meditation exercises to your fitness routine! These types of workouts will help you find peace, exercise your muscles, improve your strength and work on your breathing. They are good to add to your routine year-round! For more information about the benefits of yoga and how to start practicing, please CLICK HERE.
By getting adequate physical activity during the holiday season, you’re setting yourself up for success in the New Year. And, if improving fitness is one of your New Year resolutions, you’ll already be one step ahead!
