Do any of these phrases ring a bell?
- ‘I’m too busy with Christmas preparation, I simply don’t have time to work out’
- ‘I’ve been invited to so many Christmas festivities, I’ll be too tired to exercise’
- ‘I’ve already indulged too much – I’ll start over in January’
The Christmas Holiday period is typically an extremely busy time of year. Meaning that when we find our ‘to-do’ list pilling up, we usually start neglecting tasks that seem optional like maintaining our health and wellbeing.
If taking the time to workout is not on the top of your ‘Christmas to-do list’, or if your fitness takes a back seat at this time this year – think again! Here are our top tips to surviving the holiday season without packing on unwanted kilos!
GETTING IT DONE EARLY
Got dinner plans or drinks after work, and have no time to exercise? Commit to waking up just that little bit earlier and get it done! Now remember a little exercise is better than nothing – a simple walk with the dog before breakfast or a light jog around the neighbourhood is absolutely fine! You don’t have to exhaust yourself in the gym to keep your weight in check during the Christmas period. So go ahead, set your alarm, and sweat out those toxins!
BUDDIES MAKE IT EASIER
Christmas is always a challenging time to stay in touch with friends and family, so why not incorporate healthy eating and a bit of exercise into your meetups! Meet a friend for a walk or bike ride, or attend a gym class with your group of girlfriends. All it takes is a little planning and you can enjoy the best of both worlds!
WORKOUT AT WORK
A sneaky lunchtime workout while at work is a great way to keep your health on track. Fun fact: the middle of the day is when your energy is high and your body is warm, which means it’s the best time to get your sweat on. How convenient! And to keep your workout as festive as possible, why not make a Christmas playlist full of your favourite tunes!
SHOP TILL YOU DROP
Literally! Let’s not forget that behind the frenzy and fun that is shopping, this task is, in fact, quite the workout! Pushing the trolley, carrying heavy bags, walking up and down the aisles – these are all commonly overlooked ways to get the heart rate up, without even noticing! Did you know 5 minutes of casual stairs is equal to about 20 minutes of regular cardio exercise in the gym? So go and spread the word this festive season, shopping for presents is, in fact, a fabulous form of exercise!
GIVE THE GIFT OF GIVING
If you’re feeling the pressure to get your loved ones the most perfect gifts this Christmas. Why not give them the gift of health! Our favourite picks include activity trackers, wireless headphones, dumbbells, and how about a cheeky SFD membership! There’s truly no better gift than the gift of health, so you can be sure that these gifts will keep you in their good books.
These 5 quick and easy ways of incorporating exercise into your Christmas routine will ensure you’ll be looking fit and fabulous this festive season!
However, if you’re looking to even further foolproof your health and fitness whilst still enjoying the holiday season, simply check out our ‘tips to avoid overeating this Christmas’ blog!
Bonus: you’ll look extra fine at the Christmas Party!!