Why wait until January 1st to start those New Year Resolutions? One of the most common resolutions is to exercise more. Often times during the holiday season, exercise is not a priority and often doesn’t get done. We know from our F.I.T.T.ness Fix article, that it is recommended we get 150 minutes of exercise per week.
So whether you would like to exercise more or you have already been keeping a regimented exercise routine that you don’t want to lose over the holidays, check out the tips below:
Tip #1: Schedule time for exercise!
The simple act of scheduling your exercise for the day can increase your chances of completing it. You can set a reminder on your phone for a certain time of day to remind you to go do your exercise. Certain exercise apps you can actually pre schedule the time you would like to start the exercise so it will remind you. If you feel like you have an extra busy day, set your alarm an additional hour earlier so it can be completed before your day even starts. Exercising in the morning can help eliminate stress and improve your sleep PLUS exercising in a fasting state maximizes HGH (human growth hormone) for weight management and improved metabolism and body composition.
Tip #2: Take Advantage of Short Breaks!
You’ve heard of intermittent fasting. How about intermittent workouts? Research shows 3 – 10 min exercise times during the day are just as effective as 1 – 30 min exercise period!
- During your lunch break (Walking around your building during your lunch break)
- After you put dinner in the oven to cook (Dinner will be cooking for 30 minutes in the oven, time to start a 30 minute exercise video)
- Waiting for your kids’ sports practice to end (Take the time to walk the field/court to get additional steps in for a day – put on some music, add some weights)
Reach out if you would like our full body exercise routine that can be done at the gym or in the comfort of your own home. Email connect@eurekaholisticnutrition.com for your free copy!
TIP #3: Go Digital!
Youtube has a variety of workout videos ranging from 15 min upper body, 30 min yoga, to 1 hour full body workouts. Type in the amount of time you have and which type of workout you would like to try and a range of options will show up for you!
Check out SWORKIT app for specific workouts you can set your own time for (example: 10 min Full Body Stretch Routine)
Simply Google an exercise then click images – save image to your photos to create a Workout Album on your phone! I personally do this for my morning floor exercise routine. I put my praise music on and scroll through my images – doing 2 sets of 10 reps!
Tip #4: Sign Up for a Holiday Run!
The holidays are a great time to sign up for a road race! There are typically several on Thanksgiving morning, followed by other events the weekends leading up to Christmas. Check out your local community race websites for the dates and types of races available. This is also a great way to incorporate your friends and family into the fun!
Here’s some examples for those local to Atlanta:
Reindeer Run 5K/10K -Buford
Turkey Trot -Kennesaw
Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon, 5K and Mile Dash -Atlanta
Turkey Trot (5K, 10K, 15K, Half Marathon) – Johns Creek
Run the lights of Life – Kennesaw
Tip #5: Set a Specific Goal for Exercise!
What is your goal?
- 10,000 steps a day
- Walk 1 mile per day
- Number of times you exercise a week
- Whatever your goal may be, write it down, tell a friend/family member, and mark it off on a chart. See below for an example of one type of exercise tracker:
Tip #6: Encourage Friends and Family to Join You!
Start a holiday tradition of getting the family together for an activity:
- Go for a hike
- Get together at a park for a kickball game
- Game of basketball
- Have a pickleball competition
- Play catch in the yard
- Game a volleyball
- Meeting a friend for a walk around the park may be a great way to catch up during the season.
- Partnering in exercise makes it socially fun!
