The final weeks of the year are upon us, people! By this time of the year, a high percentage of Americans have given up on fitness goals and are planning on starting fresh in the New Year. While we encourage healthy New Year’s resolutions, letting yourself go and disregarding health and wellness during the final weeks of the year is not something we endorse. What if we collectively made the commitment to ditch the “New Year, New Me” motto and stick to achieving fitness goals throughout the year?
We understand that the holidays are stressful and a lot of people are traveling, but there should still be some focus on the health of your body. You shouldn’t think that the oil light is on in the car and you can drive without oil until the New Year. A plan always needs to be in place when it comes to health and fitness. Fitness isn’t a “wing it” situation; rather, it requires planning, researching, and figuring out habits that help you achieve your goals. Some people prefer boot camp classes, while others enjoy cycling, weight lifting, or swimming. Find your rhythm and don’t stop moving.
Schedule Short Workouts
Most people abandon fitness during the holidays because they feel that going to the gym or exercising interrupts their day. Fitness should never interrupt you schedule; rather, it should be convenient and fun. Be it a quick 15-minute HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workout at home, a friendly game of basketball at the gym, or a holiday ice skating session in your area, fitness can come in many forms and should not be neglected.
Make Fitness Fun
Exercise should not be a punishment! You have to look forward to your workouts, as opposed to dreading them or increasing stress levels because of them. Most people are with family during the holidays, so try to schedule group events that involve some sort of exercise. Alternatively, you may find it fun to escape the family and go for a solo mission to the gym. It can also be beneficial to find an accountability partner to keep each other on track during the holidays.
Be Consistent
If you can find time to watch your favorite shows at night, you can find time to fit exercise into your daily schedule. The beauty of it is that you don’t have to carve out a huge time slot to do so. There are many at-home exercise routines that won’t inconvenience you whatsoever. Better yet, kill two birds with one stone by exercising and watching your shows at the same time! Set up and exercise bike in front of the TV and start pedaling!
Exercise Using Something You Love
How do you make exercise a habit during a chaotic time like the holidays? Exercise in a way that allows you to enjoy something that you love to do. If you don’t look forward to working out, forget about fitness. Whether you enjoy martial arts, cardio, Pilates, yoga, weight lifting, running, hiking, crossfit, or boot camp classes, find your passion and stick to it. You are more likely to stick to your workout schedule when you do something you love. Play your favorite music during your workouts and you’ll notice that you get more involved in your exercise. Another option that is great for cardiovascular exercises is to listen to podcasts or audio books.
