“Stop making excuses, make progress.” -Anonymous
Well, my friends, Thanksgiving has come and gone, and it’s official, Christmas is right around the corner! The holiday season means making memories- festivities, family, friends, and of course, food. You guys know I’m all about balance and I no longer fear holiday weight gain or over-indulgence because I know a few tricks to combat it. Today I specifically want to talk about exercise.
Ohhhh exercise. I’ve never been a huge fan of the gym or ‘killing it’ on a run, but I have been able to find time for my favorite activity- walking. I love walking and I do it regularly, but as the days get shorter and life gets busier, I find fitness can fall to the bottom of my ‘To-Do’ list. I saw a t-shirt the other day that said, “Last Minute Christmas Shopping is my Cardio.” For real though, here they are:
My 5 top tips to staying a bit more active this festive time of year!
- Go Shopping– Why not? A brisk walk around the mall is not exactly a ride on the elliptical, but hey, it’s better for you than online shopping, am I right? So, get up off the couch and get shopping. Find a big mall, enjoy the decorations, hunt for the perfect gifts, take advantage of the sales, hike the stairs, and make sure to do a few extra laps for good measure.
- Wake Up and Stretch- There’s nothing quite like some good stretching to start you off in the morning. You’ll get your metabolism going which means you can eat more throughout the day and enjoy some extra energy, too. It improves your posture, reduces muscle tension, and gets your blood flowing. Plus, you can do your stretching right there in your bedroom!
- Actually Go to the Gym- They say ‘half the battle is showing up’ and that sure is true when it comes to me and the gym. My advice? Go to the gym with the idea that you can leave after 10 minutes. I mean, 10 minutes isn’t bad, right? Once you get there, you’ll find that you can stay on the treadmill for a few more minutes… and before you know it, you’ve done a full workout!
- Park Far- This is kind of an ‘all-year round tip’- not just when you’re Christmas shopping. But now that you’re actually out hunting for deals and fighting the crowds, why not park a little farther away? You’ll keep your car safe from other car doors and carriages and you’ll guarantee that you get in those extra steps!
- Drop and give me 20!- Okay, maybe your not a push-up kinda person (neither am I), but you DO love watching Christmas movies (I’ve already watched Home Alone 3 times… and December just started! IKR?) Instead of just lounging on the coach during your movie or favorite TV show, pull out a mat and do some crunches or lift some 5 pound weights and do some stretching. Relaxing doesn’t have to be passive.
These may seem like small insignificant things, but they really do add up. There’s no need to go crazy when it comes to being active- especially this time of year when things can get a little crazy anyway. Just take the balanced approach and you’ll be able to maintain a healthy lifestyle, even when you’re crazy busy!
How about you? What are you favorite ways to say active this time of year?
My dog after Thanksgiving dinner… we shared a bit of turkey with her and all she wanted to do was sleep!
42 Comments
I am really making the effort to be active every year over the Christmas season. Even if it is just a short walk to the shops.
December 2, 2015 at 11:38 amI love it! I’m all about the little things… they really do add up 🙂
December 7, 2015 at 4:34 amGreat tip about parking far away. Heck, we’re probably doing that anyways due to the crowds, but it makes it feel better knowing that you’re getting some extra steps in. Love the photo of your dog, too…that’s about how I felt on Thanksgiving! 🙂
December 2, 2015 at 2:42 pmHahaha!! Thanks David! She was SO sleepy that day… I think we shared a bit too much turkey with her! LOL …and yeah for sure, crowds this time of year can get pretty crazy!
December 7, 2015 at 4:33 amI’m with you that small things really do add up! Even just walking around the neighborhood or adding a short walk after dinner. People think they have to make huge leaps and changes all at once, but that’s not fun nor sustainable. I love the “drop and give me 20”. I’m the crazy person who will randomly do pushups when I’m waiting for food to cook or watching tv!
December 2, 2015 at 3:00 pmAhhhh!! I love it Sarah!! I couldn’t agree more! Seems we both prefer the do-able (and enjoyable!) approach! Balance is key 🙂 (also love the idea of little actives while waiting for your food to cook! I’m gonna have to try that one!)
December 7, 2015 at 4:32 amBefore getting my gym membership I would almost always work out while watching TV. Its just so simple and easy to do! Most of the workouts I create are a combination of bodyweight work with strength training, so it either requires no equipment or something small like my kettlebell. It makes TV workouts super easy!
December 2, 2015 at 3:06 pmAhhh! I love it! SO fun! 🙂 Good for you Kat, I need some of your workouts in my life! <3
December 7, 2015 at 4:31 amGreat tips! It is always so hard to stay committed to your fitness routine during the holidays! There are so many distractions and temptations with comfort food!
December 2, 2015 at 3:31 pmYes! It can by way more tempting to stay in, relax, enjoy some yummy eats… but I say we can have the best of both worlds! Hopefully these little tips help!
December 7, 2015 at 4:30 amI am going to be traveling this New Years – until mid-January, and since I didn’t make the arrangements……… There will be no gym in sight. That being said, I plan on WALKING EVERYWHERE!! EVERYWHERE I tell you! Exploring VIA foot is the best anyways, even if it’s friggin’ freezing! LOL!
December 2, 2015 at 3:38 pmYou can seriously get in SO much exercise when you’re on vaca. Like, you don’t even need a gym my friend! Traveling by foot is a gym in and of itself… plus wayyyyyy more scenic! <3
December 7, 2015 at 4:29 amHahahaha that shirt. I need it! I love the idea of parking far away. It’s always easier to find a spot that way too!
December 2, 2015 at 3:43 pmME too! And agreed! It’s SO hard to find a close spot sometimes, everyones out shopping!
December 7, 2015 at 4:27 amShopping is the best form of cardio (and strength training?)!! I definitely need to go to the gym more when it gets colder out. I just started swimming so it’s the perfect time to do that!
December 2, 2015 at 4:05 pmYES! Agreed. I love love LOVE shopping for a little strength training! Those bags get heavy!! And that’s awesome! I wish my gym had a pool! 🙂
December 7, 2015 at 4:27 amI do all of these, love this list! So helpful to find reminders like this. I love your approach to health and fitness!
December 2, 2015 at 4:14 pmThank you Heather! …and yay!! I’m so glad that you do these tips already 🙂
December 7, 2015 at 4:26 amI really enjoy walking too– It’s so much harder this time of year though– thanks for the great tips!
December 2, 2015 at 5:44 pmI hear that! Especially when it gets busy! Then I’m like, it’s too cold, I’m too busy… and it’s just not gonna happen. But hopefully if I do these few things I’ll be able to have a happy, healthy winter!
December 7, 2015 at 4:25 amGreat tips! I went to the mall this past weekend and it really was a workout! I totally agree that if I force myself to go the gym and tell myself I’ll do 15-20 minutes I usually stay longer… and sometimes I don’t, but either way, I got in some activity which is better than sitting on the couch. Your doggie is so precious!
December 2, 2015 at 6:47 pmThanks Mary Ellen! I just love her 🙂 And yes! I completely agree! I’m not about this “all-or-nothing” approach. I definitely believe that a little activity is still so good for you!
December 7, 2015 at 4:24 amI love to walk, and having to limit my walking because of my injury has just SUCKED. But my goal for this December is to try to #optoutside as much as I can!
December 2, 2015 at 7:08 pmI feel so bad about that Susie 🙁 Injuries are no fun and no far… but yesssss to #optoutside 🙂 Love that! Being outside is SO good for your whole health! Mind, body, soul, spirit!
December 7, 2015 at 4:23 amWe live in NYC so we walk all the time but when we take road trips and need to park we always park as far away as possible, sometimes in another store’s lot! Love these tips! 😉
December 3, 2015 at 1:33 amThanks Pamela! …and yes!! That’s one of the coolest things about living in a city… like I went to visit NYC a bunch of times these past couple of years, and every time I’m in awe of how much New Yorkers walk!! I’m always exhausted!
December 7, 2015 at 4:21 amI love stretching first thing in the morning. I usually wake up feeling a bit stiff, but after some yoga or a stretch session, I feel great!
December 3, 2015 at 3:53 amYay! I love it!! Such a great way to start your day 🙂
December 7, 2015 at 4:20 amWalking is my current favourite way to stay active as I don’t have a gym membership and can’t run at the moment. It’s funny as I used to be able to relax all day and now I get moody when I don’t get fresh air and movement in. Parking far away is a no-brainer :).
December 3, 2015 at 1:14 pmYES! I completely agree… it’s like my body feels the need to get up and get going and be active after a couple days of too much sitting!
December 7, 2015 at 4:36 amGreat ideas! Shopping can totally be a workout – all that walking and holding heavy packages. I’ll take it! 😉
December 3, 2015 at 5:51 pmHehe! Thanks Chrissa!! And I agree… besides, it’s the most fun ‘workout’ if ya ask me!
December 7, 2015 at 4:20 amLove the ideas that you have given! I love to walk and shop for sure but the thing I love the most about my campus is that they gym is just a short walk away! So braving the cold for 5 minutes isn’t too bad…unless I am getting lap swimming in – then the walk back to my apartment is hell I tell you! I love staying active during the holidays just because I am sitting and doing a lot of studying for finals! I dislike finals with a passion!
XO
December 3, 2015 at 7:41 pmHahaha!! Oh my gosh Katerina, I love you!! hehe, you’re so adorable! And I hear ya… SO ready to be done with finals!! …and good for you for braving the cold!! 🙂
December 7, 2015 at 4:19 amParking far is a good idea! I also liking taking the stairs whenever possible. Great tips!
http://www.mintnotion.com
December 4, 2015 at 8:24 pmThanks Eden! They may be small things, but they really do add up!
December 7, 2015 at 4:17 amI love the idea of fitting in little bits of exercise. I try to make sure I’m somehow walking each day, whatever that may entail.
December 4, 2015 at 10:46 pmYes! I’m all about it! People think that, in order to be healthy, you need to ‘kill it’ at the gym… but that’s not the case, it’s all about realistic, little, maintainable, lifestyle changes 🙂
December 7, 2015 at 4:16 amThese are such great tips! I find it so much harder to work out in the winter. I am always cold, so being outside is the worst usually because I’m too cold to function haha..
December 5, 2015 at 5:40 amHahaha! I completely agree! It’s so hard to ‘get up and get out’ when it’s freezing! Glad these help 🙂
December 7, 2015 at 4:15 amOh my gracious, your dog is SO fluffy! I just want to snuggle with her!
Parking far is a favorite of mine for a couple of reasons. Obviously, the extra steps are good for me. But I also like not having to drive around looking for the closest parking spot which wastes valuable time. And I like not having to wait in line at busy places to get out of the parking lot because I’m parked so far away already. 🙂 Definitely a winner tip!
December 9, 2015 at 1:56 pmHehe! Thanks Rach, I love her and do snuggle with her a lot <3 Yay to parking far! Love your reasoning behind it as well... def NOT a fan of waiting in long lines!!
December 11, 2015 at 4:51 pm