7 Clever Ways To Stick To Your Fitness Routine During The Holidays

Good habits tend to go out the window during the holidays. We’re all guilty of splurging more than we planned on gifts, having an extra cocktail during the festivities, sneaking a few cookies before Santa arrives and (most of all) putting the brakes on our workout routine. After all, who has the time or energy to hit the treadmill when you’ve got so much going on?

However, staying active during the holidays is actually more important than you might think. Not only can finding time to exercise give you the endorphins you’ll need to counterbalance holiday stress, it can help you avoid gaining weight from all those sweets. Plus, it’ll help you hit the ground running once your New Year’s resolutions kick in. Don’t let the season’s hustle and bustle prevent you from working out. Here are seven easy ways to squeeze in exercise during the holidays.

Wake Up Earlier

Let’s face it: The busier your day gets, the more likely you’ll skip the gym. Prioritize exercise first thing in the morning so you have no excuses to flake out.

“Set your alarm 10-20 minutes earlier to begin your day with a workout,” said Kara Tatelbaum, author of “Lazy Girl Pilates.” “Whether that means crunches in bed, gym before the shower, yoga poses before breakfast or a quick run around the block, make use of this time each morning and move your body.”

Block Off Time On Your Calendar

Deciding to work out is just the first step—putting it in your planner (like you would a doctor’s appointment or party) helps turn your intention into reality, said Elaine Hayes, founder of MNTSTUDIO, a Pilates studio in San Francisco.

“Schedule your workouts like you schedule meetings and block off your calendar. That way, when meetings or holiday parties come up, you can visually see that you are unavailable and are less likely to break those plans with yourself,” she said.

Rethink Your Lunch Break

Rather than taking a midday break to scarf down a salad and get back to work, why not use lunchtime to work up a sweat? You can eat that salad at your desk, anyway! “During your lunch break, can you make it to a quick class? Is there one offered at work?” said Tatelbaum. “You could also find stairs to walk up and down for three minutes, then hang your heels off a step to stretch your calves.”

Even a quick stroll outside of your office building can boost your heart rate and give you some welcome fresh air.

Get Those Steps In

Carving out a whole hour for a gym session might be out of the question during the holidays. But you can probably find time to take a brisk walk outside—and those steps add up, fast! “Walk home from work, or if you drive or take public transportation, take a walk around the neighbourhood when you get home,” said Tatelbaum. “Extra points if you track your steps and add weights to this routine. One pounders are great on your ankles or in your hands.”Who knows? You might even get a burst of energy that motivates you to step it up to a calorie-burning jog!

Before You Hit The Hay

Give your body one last push before bedtime, urged Tatelbaum.

“After all the holiday happy hours, parties and other commitments, resist the urge to pass out in bed right after you get home,” she said. “Take a moment to stretch your hips by lying on your back toward the edge of your bed, dangling one leg off and holding the other toward your chest. Afterward, try a back twist by bending your legs to either side [while keeping your back flat or tilted the opposite direction] and breathing into your back.”

Even if that’s the only exercise you get all day, you can drift off with the peace of mind that you did something positive for your body.

Find A Fitness Buddy

When you have a friend holding you accountable, you’re far less likely to skip that yoga class—even if you’ve spent all day braving the holiday shopping crowds.

“You don’t have to go through this alone,” said Tatelbaum. “Is there someone at work or in the neighbourhood you can work out with? If you can’t meet in person, FaceTime works too. It’s an awesome way to stay connected across states with family and friends.”

Finding the time to work out during the holidays isn’t a Christmas miracle—instead, think of it as giving your body the gift it deserves.

Original Post – Forbes