As I have been discussing in some of my previous articles Christmas is a difficult time when it comes to fitness. Tempting foods are all around, the weather is generally poor and common colds and the flu are increasingly common. This makes it very difficult to maintain an exercise routine over Christmas. However, if you make proper plans then you should be able to maintain a proper exercise routine. In this article I will be providing you with 6 top tips for maintaining an exercise routine over Christmas.
1) EXERCISE IN THE GYM:- I personally exercise in the gym so this one is not a change for me. However, if you normally exercise outside you may wish to switch to the gym over the festive period. Whether the gym is your first choice location for working out or not it is bright and warm. Compare this to the outdoors which are generally cold and dark and you can see why the gym is probably the best exercise location for the festive period.
2) EXERCISE IN THE MORNING:- Christmas brings with it social gatherings most of which occur in the evenings. Therefore, you may not get to exercise as much because you are busy socialising. If this is the case then you may have to exercise in the morning over the festive period. You may not like getting out of bed extra early but it may be the only way to fit it in during your busy Christmas schedule.
3) GET AN EXERCISE DVD:- If you normally exercise outside and can’t face the weather but you also can’t stand working out in a gym then an exercise DVD could be the solution. Exercise DVDs are becoming increasingly popular and there are now DVDs available which cater to a number of needs including dance workouts, yoga workouts and bodyweight workouts. You can check out Amazon’s entire range of fitness DVDs by clicking here or have a browse of the selection I have included below. Not only will these DVDs help you stay fit and healthy over the festive period but they also could be the perfect Christmas present for you, a friend or a family member.
4) GET WII FIT:- I’ve only tried Wii fit once at a friend’s house but it’s great fun and an excellent alternative to exercise DVDs for the gamers out there. It has a range of types of training you can choose including balance, strength and stamina. Plus, it has a multi-player option meaning the whole family can join in. This would make it a great present to get out after the Christmas dinner because it will incorporate all the guests and also allow you all to get some exercise and burn some calories.
5) BE INNOVATIVE:- Despite your best intentions the holidays are extremely busy and you simply may not have the time to fit in a full workout. If this is the case you are going to have to be innovative and make exercise part of other tasks. Try parking your car a bit further away from work or the shops when you do your Christmas shopping, go for a brisk walk during your lunch hour or do a few quick bodyweight exercises when you find yourself with a spare few minutes. Consistency is one of the keys to a successful exercise routine and every little bit you do will help.
6) TRY AND STICK TO A HEALTHY DIET:- Christmas is a time when we are increasingly susceptible to the common cold and the flu. On top of this we are more likely to feel down around Christmas time. Both of these factors are likely to lower our motivation to exercise. If you eat a poor diet too your motivation to exercise is going to be even lower. I know it’s tough to stick to a perfect diet over Christmas and you will undoubtedly eat some junk foods. However, if you plan to eat healthily when you can your motivation to exercise is going to be much higher. Try to incorporate some of these mood foods and these immune system boosting foods into your diet and you are much more likely to have the motivation needed to perform your Christmas workouts.
Most of us will have worked hard to maintain an exercise routine throughout the year so it would be a shame to let it all go over Christmas. Yes it is a difficult time of the year in terms of exercise and yes you want to have some time to relax. Even if you don’t do as much exercise as you normally do make sure you do some over the festive period. By doing this you will be in a much better fitness position when the New Year comes around.
How are you guys planning to fit exercise in this Christmas? Have you got any additional tips you would like to share? If so please leave a comment on this post.
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