Holiday Workout Strategies: Making Time to Stay in Shape

If the phrase “holiday workout” brings up an exhausting mental image of fighting your way through a crowded shopping mall weighed down by bags full of gifts that now need to be carted home, wrapped, tagged, and hidden until the big day, you aren’t alone.

The holiday season can be exhausting, leaving little time or desire for actual working out (as in, exercising for physical health or weight loss . . . not lugging packages around or juggling 12-dozen cookie sheets). What you may not realize is that making time for exercise each day - even during the holiday craziness - can go a long way in helping you have more stamina, clarity, and resilience.

It’s a fact that regular exercise does wonders for your mind and body, but it can seem like one more chore that must be done, and it can easily get pushed to the back burner while you attend to “more important” things.

Below are a few tips for making your holiday workout plan a high priority, which will enable you to get through the holidays feeling strong, balanced and refreshed.

Make Yourself a Priority

The first thing to do is create a new attitude that positions YOU as your top priority.  Not the gifts, not the food, not the family, not beating the crowds at the supermarket.

If you don’t make time to take care of yourself, no one else will.

Commit to making your own health and well-being your number one priority this holiday season.  Yes, other things are important too, but you won’t be able to accomplish nearly as much if you feel run down and exhausted every day.

See: 7 Limiting Beliefs That Can Stall Your Weight Loss
 

Schedule Time for Exercise

No matter how many other things you have to do, make sure you schedule time for working out.

Do it first thing in the morning to get it out of the way, or do it in the evening after you’ve finished most everything else - but make sure it gets done.

Keep reminding yourself that working out is easily the most important thing you need to do each day, and treat it that way.

Multi-task!

If you have to, combine workout moves with other activities.
 

• Speed-walk around the mall 5 times before you begin your shopping.
• Park your car several blocks from the shopping center so you have to walk a good 5 minutes there and back.  (This is also a good way to limit your spending since you won’t want to lug heavy bags all the way back to the car!) 
• Do squats and lunges while waiting for cookies to bake.
• Do 50 jumping jacks for every cookie you eat while decorating them.

You get the idea!

A holiday workout plan doesn’t have to be time-consuming or difficult.  In fact, there are plenty of ways to make it fun and motivating.

The most important thing is to make time for it and be committed to getting it done, even if you don’t think you have the time available.

Once the workout is done for the day, you’ll be glad you did it and be eager to do it again the next day.
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