The holiday season is filled with celebrations, shopping, cooking, and spending time with family, which can leave you with little time for fitness. However, staying active during this busy time is crucial not only for maintaining your weight but also for reducing stress and boosting your mood. Here are some simple and effective ways to keep moving during the holiday rush while still enjoying the festivities.
1. Plan Your Workouts Like You Plan Your Events
During the holidays, it’s easy to push exercise to the back burner, but scheduling it in just like any other event can make a huge difference.
Set a specific time each day for a short workout. Treat it like a meeting or family gathering—make it a non-negotiable part of your day.
Set reminders on your phone or calendar to help you stick to your plan.
Even a 20-minute session can help keep you energized and on track.
2. Take Advantage of Your Free Time
The holiday season often brings unexpected gaps in your schedule—whether it’s before a family gathering or while waiting for the turkey to cook. Use these moments to move!
Take a brisk walk around the block after meals. It helps with digestion and can give you a moment of peace amidst the chaos.
Do a quick bodyweight workout while waiting for food to cook—squats, lunges, or planking for 5-10 minutes adds up throughout the day.
3. Get the Family Involved
Exercise doesn’t have to be a solo activity! The holidays are a great time to get the whole family moving.
Organize a family walk or hike after your holiday meals. It’s a fun way to spend time together while staying active.
Play a game of touch football or other outdoor activities like tag or Frisbee. Not only will this keep everyone active, but it’s also a great way to create lasting memories.
If you're stuck indoors, turn up the music and host a dance party in the living room! Dancing is a great way to burn calories and have fun.
4. Take Advantage of Holiday Shopping
Holiday shopping can be a workout in itself if you make the most of it!
Park farther away from the store to get in more steps.
Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
Carry shopping bags as weights—no need for dumbbells when you have shopping bags to lift!
5. Try a Holiday-Themed Workout
Who says workouts have to be serious? Make it fun by creating a holiday-themed fitness challenge.
Santa's Little Helper Workout: Do 12 squats, 12 push-ups, and 12 jumping jacks every hour.
Holiday Playlist Challenge: For every song on your holiday playlist, do a different exercise. For example, one song could be for squats, another for lunges, and another for arm circles.
6. Set a Step Goal
It’s easy to track your steps during the holidays with fitness trackers or even phone apps.
Aim for 10,000 steps a day, and use your activities—shopping, cleaning, running errands—as part of your count.
Consider making it a competition: challenge a friend or family member to see who can get the most steps in one day or one week!
7. Use Commercial Breaks for Quick Moves
If you’re watching your favorite holiday movies or TV specials, make use of commercial breaks to squeeze in some exercise.
During each break, try doing some squats, lunges, or planks for 1-2 minutes.
Or, if you’re watching with others, make it a game: everyone has to do jumping jacks or high knees during the break!
8. Focus on Movement, Not Perfection
The holiday season is about enjoyment, not stressing over perfection. If you miss a workout or can’t fit in a long session, don’t feel guilty. The key is consistency.
Every little bit counts—even small bursts of activity add up.
Stay flexible and don’t let the holiday rush derail your fitness goals. You’ll feel much better if you keep moving, even in short increments.
9. Stretch and Unwind
Along with staying active, it’s important to take time to relax and stretch, especially if you’ve been running around a lot.
Take 5 minutes each morning or night to do some simple stretches, focusing on areas that might be tense from holiday stress—neck, back, and legs.
Try yoga or Pilates at home with an online class or video. These practices are great for stress relief and muscle relaxation.
10. Make Movement a Priority, Not a Afterthought
Lastly, keep in mind that movement is essential for your overall health. Use the holidays as an opportunity to prioritize how good you feel after a workout—boosted energy, better mood, and reduced stress.
Commit to staying active and fitting in at least a few minutes of exercise every day, no matter how busy you get. You’ll thank yourself in the long run!
Conclusion: Stay Active, Stay Joyful
The holiday season doesn’t have to mean putting your fitness goals on hold. With a little creativity, you can find plenty of opportunities to stay active and feel your best. Whether it’s through family activities, holiday shopping, or short workouts during commercial breaks, staying active during the holidays is totally achievable.
Remember, the holidays are about celebrating with loved ones, so don’t forget to enjoy the time with them and keep moving in fun, creative ways!
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