Holiday Fitness Tips To Keep You On Track During The Holiday Season

Set Realistic Expectations

It’s okay to cut yourself some slack regarding your health and fitness goals during the holiday season. However, while you may be able to maintain your daily workout routine and healthy eating habits throughout the rest of the year, it can be more challenging to do so during this busy time.

We recommend focusing on “maintenance” this time of year instead of “improvement.” Improving fitness can be challenging and time-consuming, but maintaining is not nearly as complex and does not take as much time working out.

You can stay active and enjoy all the festivities without feeling overwhelmed by resetting your expectations for your routine and fitness during the holidays. The holidays are usually hectic, so make sure you give yourself grace and thank yourself for still incorporating exercising into your schedule instead of giving it up altogether. 

Don’t Forget To Drink Plenty of Water

Health experts recommend drinking at least half your body weight in ounces of water every day. In addition, a 2010 study published in the Journal of Obesity found that drinking water before meals can help you maintain or even lose weight. This time of year, we could all use a little help staying on track!

If you’re drinking alcohol, it’s important to match each cocktail with a glass of water to stay hydrated and prevent hangover symptoms.

Try Fun Seasonal Activities 

There are plenty of opportunities to stay active during the winter, even if you’re not hitting the gym. Winter is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the fresh air while getting fit. From large cities to small towns, you can find ways to celebrate the holidays and stay in shape. Ice skating is a great way to burn calories (up to 500 per hour) and get into the holiday spirit.

Ice skating and sledding are also great ways to get out and enjoy the winter weather while getting some exercise. It’s also a lot of fun! If you don’t have access to an ice rink, consider going tobogganing or hiking – both are great ways to stay active during the colder months.

One great winter fitness activity is cross-country skiing. This full-body workout not only burns calories, but it’s also a great way to get your heart rate up. Cross-country skiing is also a low-impact activity, making it ideal for people looking for a gentle workout.

Another excellent option for winter fitness is snowshoeing. Like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing is a full-body workout that can help you burn calories and improve your cardiovascular health. Plus, it’s a great way to explore the beautiful scenery that winter has to offer.

Don’t Get Caught Up With Maintaining A Routine

The holidays can take a lot of work to stay on top of your fitness routine. With all the additional obligations and chores, finding the time to get in a good workout can take time and effort. If you usually exercise later in the day, try switching things up and working out in the morning instead.

You may have to wake up a bit earlier, but you might find that you actually prefer it. Having your exercise clothes and sneakers ready to go by your bed can help put you in an exercise frame of mind for the morning.

We suggest going to the gym or starting your workout when you have time and don’t beat yourself up if you don’t go at the same time every day.

It’s Ok To Keep It Short

As your schedule fills with holiday activities, feel free to break up your workouts into smaller chunks. For example, a 20-minute run before work, followed by 20 minutes of weights at the gym on the way home, is better than no activity at all.

Remind yourself that some physical activity is better than none; even just one mini-workout is superior to sitting all day! Allow for flexibility in your schedule and the duration of your workout. This will minimize stress while still helping you meet your fitness goals.

Wear A Fitness Tracker

Fitness trackers are a great way to motivate and learn more about your daily activity level. By tracking fitness data like calories, steps, heart rate, sleep, and more, fitness trackers can help you stay on top of your fitness goals. Some “smart” fitness trackers also sync with other health and activity tracking apps on your smartphone via Bluetooth.

Smart fitness trackers or smart watches also are great for reminding you to stand and stretch or drink water if you’ve been sitting for long periods.

Tune Into Our On-Demand Classes Anytime and Anywhere

Especially if you’re traveling and won’t have access to your regular studio classes that motivate you or the weights you have at home, we suggest tuning into our on-demand classes! At Community Fitness, you’ll find a database of videos you can access on-demand. 

Browse through our excellent classes professionally guided by certified instructors, and enjoy a fantastic workout even during the hustle and bustle of the holidays.