Staying healthy during the holidays doesn’t have to be hard. Here are 10 simple ways and 31 days to fitness for you. You’re welcome!
It can be tough to stay active during the holidays when there are tons of pies starring you down, lots of traveling across the country, and lots of family visiting. Here are some simple ways and techniques to help you stay fit from the end of November until January 1st. There are 35 days from Thanksgiving to New Year’s, let’s make the most of them! Because January 1st is the start of your New Year’s Resolutions, right?
Get Outside
It can be more difficult in the winter to have the motivation to bundle up and go outside. It may be easier to grab some hot chocolate, bake some Christmas cookies, and bundle up under blankets. However, even just a 10–15 minute walk outside can be great to get some fresh air. What are some outdoor activities you can do in the snow? Go for a walk, snowshoeing, snowboarding, skiing, cross-country skiing, hiking, ice skating, or sledding!
Do a Quick Strength Workout
When people think of strength workouts, they think that they have to pay for a gym, drive to a gym, and then workout on some equipment that they have no idea how to use. Here is a quick strength workout that you can do on your own, at home. See, it can be simple. Do each exercise in round #1 for 30 seconds each, repeat for another time through to get to one minute for each of the exercises. After that, do the same for round #2, Round #3, and round #4.
Round #1
- Squat Jumps
- Push-ups
- Front Lunges (R then L)
- Tricep Dips
- Repeat!
Round #2
- Bent-over Row
- Lunge Jumps
- Superman
- Burpees
- Repeat!
Round #3
- Squat w/ Shoulder Press
- Front Plank w/ Leg Lifts
- Tricep Push-ups
- Mountain Climbers
- Repeat!
Round #4
- Glute bridge
- Squat Jumps
- Push-ups
- Side Plank (R then L)
- Repeat!
(NOTE: Along with this workout, Sunwarrior can help you reach your fitness goals with our Fitness Challenge. Custom workouts and meal plans to help you reach your health and fitness goals. Learn more here.)
Find a Promotion
Most gyms will offer some sort of holiday special, whether that is a 25-punch pass for the price of a 20-punch pass. Sometimes, it will be a free 7-day pass for a friend. Getting in ona deal is always awesome!
Give Yourself a Challenge
When you give yourself a challenge, it can provide motivation to workout during the holidays. What are some ideas? Run 1 mile every day from Thanksgiving to New Years. Get outside for at least 30 minutes every day. Here is a holiday fitness calendar I shared with my fitness class members. Print it out and place it on your bathroom mirror or fridge as a reminder to do 1–2 exercises every day.
Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water. This can satiate your appetite as well as keep you hydrated at all times.
Find a Workout Friend; include your family
It is harder to skip a 6am workout when you have a workout buddy waiting for you. Encourage each other to get in a pre-Thanksgiving run or workout, post-shopping run, pre-Christmas quick run, etc. What is even better? Include your family. Go for a hike or snow adventure as a whole family. Build a snowman, have a snowball fight, or snowshoe as a family.
Eat Healthy Foods Slowly
It is still possible to eat healthy foods during the holidays when all the pies and desserts are starring you down. Find the healthier options during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s feasts. Eat your food slowly, and savor each bite.
Make it Official
Sign up for a fitness challenge, sign up for a race, or plan a vacation that involves hiking or biking. Then it gives you a reason and more motivation to stay active during November through January.
Treat Yourself
This is not to mean another piece of pie! Treat yourself to a few new pairs of workout apparel, which will give you more motivation to workout. Black Friday? Perfect, grab some workout apparel on sale! With a new matching workout outfit, you will want to go to that first fitness class or out on a run!
Get in the Yard: Raking & Shoveling
You don’t have a gym? No problem, just get outside and do some shoveling and raking! This kind of movement is a good, full body workout. It works your arms, core, and legs! It is an unexpected way to get that heart rate up and work those muscles! You can do your heart some extra good by shoveling and raking for a neighbor. A little service is good for everyone!
Remember to also have fun! It’s all about moderation and planning! Build those relationships and enjoy each other during this holiday season.
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1 30 Squat Jumps + 20 Push-ups |
2 45 Calf Raises + 40 Bicep curls |
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3 2 minute Front Plank + 50 Jumping Jacks |
4 2 minute Wall Sit + 20 Pull-ups |
5 100 Crunches + 3 minute Jump Rope |
6 40 Tricep Push-ups + 100 Squats
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7 150 Crunches + 2 minute Jump Rope |
8 1 minute Front Plank w/ shoulder taps + 60 Squat Jumps |
9 40 Shoulder Press + 50 Wide Squats |
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10 70 Lunge Jumps (total) + 30 Push-ups |
11 3 minute Wall Sit + 25 Pull-ups |
12 70 Bent-Over Row + 40 Side Lunges (total) |
13 200 Stairs |
14 60 Bicep Curls + 2 minute Mountain Climbers |
15 30 Pull-ups + 55 Calf Raises
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16 3 minute Front Plank |
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17 50 Side Lunges (total)
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18 30 Side Plank Leg Lift (each side) |
19 60 Calf Raises + 30 Tricep Push-ups |
20 60 Dips + 3 minute Wall Sit |
21 100 Lunges (total) + 40 Wide Push-ups |
22 50 Burpees + 100 Crunches |
23 25 Pull-ups + 70 Calf Raises |
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24 250 Crunches + 3 minute Mountain Climbers |
25 100 Squats + 50 Dips |
26 50 Push-ups + 40 Squat Jumps |
27 250 Stairs |
28 100 Walking Lunges (total) + 50 Dips |
29 50 Shoulder Press + 60 Wide Squats |
30 2 minute Front Plank + 2 minute Mountain Climbers |
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31 LAST DAY BONUS: Go for 1 hour walk or run |
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