How to stay active during the Holidays
We all love the Holidays, a time of joy when families get together to experience the magic of the season. That said, it’s also a time when our regular routines take a back seat. Let’s face it, the kids being at home for the holidays and all the family video calls can be tricky to schedule in, so imagine adding time to workout on top of that.
But what if there’s a way to stay active during the holidays without tearing your hair out? To start off, breath in and out, roll up your sleeves and set realistic goals. Here are a few helpful tips.
Realistic goals
Let’s be honest, it’s usually hard to maintain your usual work-out schedule at this time of the year. Say goodbye to the usual routine, you really feel like relaxing, but family visits are adding up. To make staying active possible despite it all, you have to accept that your goals cannot be the same as for the daily routine. That’s why it's important thing to change your goals so that they are achievable, whether it be the number of workouts, their length or any other goal you may have. The main thing is to keep moving. It’s that simple. For example, go down from five to two runs per week or from 10 k to 5 k to reduce the time needed and fit your runs more easily into your schedule.
Set time aside
It’s all too easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of the Holidays. Why not set aside time when you can work out. Frequency is not as important as quality. Target the ideal moments so that you can achieve your goals and remember to be realistic. Also think about changing your schedule. Do you usually work out in the evening? Why not set your alarm earlier in the morning and take advantage of a few hours before the rest of the family is up? Also remember to check with your spouse in order to find the ideal time slots.
From daily chore to workout
Why not make the everyday more fun? Your schedule may be jam packed at this time of year and it may be harder than usual to fit it a workout. So why not turn your everyday tasks into a workout? It will provide you with at least 15 minutes of exercise and one less chore. For example, when you have to do the dishes, you can do a few squats while you are drying. When you are doing laundry, take a minute out to dance to your favourite song. You can also do lunges when you go from room to room or if you’re waiting for cookies to bake in the oven.
Outdoor exercise with the family
Take advantage of this time of year to get outdoors and be active as a family. A quick walk around the neighbourhood to see it in a new light is an excellent idea. In fact, walking is very beneficial for your health and the perfect social activity when you have guests over as they won’t even realize they are exercising. Walking promotes good digestion and a good sleep after a heavy meal. Here are some interesting activities to keep in mind:
- Skating
- Snowshoeing
- Cross-country skiing
- Tobogganing
You can begin a new after-dinner tradition where everyone participates in a group activity. What an interesting and playful way to enjoy the magic of the season with young and old alike!
Include challenges
Add a few simple challenges to your schedule beginning slightly before the Holidays and into early January and you will see how easy it is to meet them. Without even realizing it, you will have added on minutes here and there to keep yourself active. Here’s a list of small but interesting challenges
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator
- Take the bus one stop further to add more steps to your walk
- Park your car at the far end of the mall parking lot
- Take one walk a day to get into a new habit
- Take up a family challenge that will force you to be active and have a prize at the finish line.
Online resources
Your workout is just a click away. Bring the gym to the comfort of your home. You’ll find a multitude of apps online with workouts that are easy to do at home without equipment. You can even choose the frequency and duration that bests suits you. Whether you choose one from Nike, Swork or 8Fit, it’s the right time to try something new online until you can once again schedule in a trip to the gym. You now have everything you need to keep a certain amount of activity in your daily routine while enjoying the Holidays. It’s all about having fun, while creating wonderful memories and staying active. The order of the day? Adapt and plan ahead.
