12/3/2020

Contributed by Eric Henderson H & W Chair

Tis the season for peppermint mochas, sugar cookies and long to-do lists. If the thought of holiday goodies and never-ending shopping has you crossing exercise off your list, then it’s time to get a little creative with your fitness. You aren’t destined to fall off the fitness wagon just because life gets busy during the holidays. With a little bit of simple planning, you can maintain your workout program and feel your absolute best! Here is a simple list of ways to keep in shape during the holidays:

1. Make a Schedule- Get it on paper and when the holidays get hectic, you will have a fitness roadmap at your fingertips.
2. Consistency- Now that you have a plan, set a reoccurring workout reminder on your phone or app. Consistency is the key to exercise. This will help you stick with it.
3. Exercise in the Morning- Set your alarm 45 minutes earlier than normal and get out of bed. Get a quick 20-minute workout in and feel the energy all day, even when you’re out visiting friends and family or shopping!
4. Steps, Steps, Steps- Can’t get to the gym? Focus on getting 10,000steps a day. Walk while talking on the phone or during your work break
5. Ditch the Long Workouts- Go for HIIT & full body blasts. Instead of a slow and steady workout session, opt for high intensity interval (HIIT) workouts 2 to 3 days a week. Carve out 20 minutes and alternate between cardio intervals and body weight exercises.
6. Ditch the Single Muscle Group Workouts- Choose exercises that move as many body parts as possible. Opt for compound movements such as lunges with a bicep curl, squats with an overhead press or a plank with leg raises.
7. Take Advantage of Seasonal Activities- Don’t underestimate the calorie burn of holiday activities. Ice skating? Awesome workout! Sledding? Think about those hill sprints! Both activities burn 425 to 600 calories per hour!
8. Find a Workout Buddy- If you have always been a solo exerciser, this might be a good time to hook up with a friend for accountability.
9. Set a Short-Term Goal- Don’t wait for January to roll around to set a fitness goal. Pick one thing you want to work on for the month of December and MAKE IT HAPPEN! Having a short-term goal on the horizon will help you stay committed and consistent.
10. Keep a Spare Gym Bag in Your Car- Keep an extra pair of workout clothes and shoes in the car for those days in the holiday months to squeeze in a sweat session between shopping trips and holiday visits. Just getting 2 or 3 extra workouts in at the end of the month can make a huge difference in how you feel for the month.