The holidays
are a time to relax, enjoy time with family and friends, and indulge in good
food, good drinks and good cheer. Dinners, parties and a busy schedule come
with stress. So, why not take a break from your fitness until the New Year?
The temptation-packed holiday season can be an excuse not to
exercise, but this just adds more pounds and stress that can wipe out a years worth of work and weaken motivation and
confidence.
Some suggestions
to keep you motivated and disciplined are:
·
Acknowledge holidays will affect your
exercise program.
·
Keep your No. 1 objective to lose
weight and stay healthy.
·
If classes aren’t convenient, try an
exercise video at home or swim instead.
·
Organize your day the evening before and
make adjustments to your schedule for fitness.
·
Instead of trying to squeeze exercise
into your schedule, take other things out.
·
Fit in three exercise sessions per
week and put the times in your calendar.
·
As we indulge, add an extra workout
session whenever possible.
·
Wake up early and walk or jog before
work, or on lunch break.
·
Mix up your fitness routine to avoid
boredom (cardio, weights, or classes).
·
To save time, combine family time
with exercise. Sledding, long walks, skiing or backpacking.
·
A long weekend getaway at a warm
destination for January or February, will motivate you to keep exercise a
priority.
·
Create a holiday wish list for an improved
body area that involves sacrifice and discipline.
·
Try home workouts when you can't make
it to the gym. Many exercises can be done without any gym equipment.
·
Eat a healthy snack before you go to parties,
so you don’t over indulge.
·
Start your day with a protein shake,
to help with the office treat temptations.
Mona Claypoole - Director of Marketing and Wellness Support
