One of the main causes of holiday weight gain is the hectic schedule. When you get cooked up in the holiday rush, it’s difficult to sneak in a regular fitness routine. Shopping, cooking and wrapping gifts make up your day. To maintain your weight, you have to come up with creative strategies. You have to come up with ways to keep moving. Why not blend fitness with all the holiday activities you have? What’s important is for you to keep an open mind to the opportunities that present itself. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Putting away groceries can be such a drag. Why not do squats to liven it up? Get 2 one liter containers of milk, juice or water. Carry one in each hand. Do 10 to 12 squats right there in the kitchen. Make sure that you’re following correct form. Squats should feel like you’re about to sit on a chair. Do at least 2 to 3 sets. Make wrapping gifts more fun and less boring. For every two or three gifts you wrap, walk two times around the house. You can jog in place for 2 minutes or jump rope. Run up and down the stairs three times. The idea is to keep moving.
Cookies only take a few minutes to bake. But you can make the time count by doing a little exercise. Get on all fours and prepare for push ups. If you’re an advanced exerciser, assume the plank position. Do three sets of five push ups each. Soup cans make great dumbbells. Just make sure it’s not emptied yet. Get a soup can and do bicep curls. You can do alternating or simultaneous bicep curls. Aim to accomplish ten to twelve reps per set for three sets of dumbbell curls.
Make your holiday shopping part of your fitness strategies. For every hour of shopping, spare ten minutes for brisk walking. If you allocate three for holiday shopping, you can get as much as 30 minutes of exercise. After the festivals, it might be a good idea to go for a walk. Instead of using your car, gather the family together and check out the neighborhood lights. It’s a fun way to bond with family. It also gives you the opportunity to do a little walking after the fever.
Fitness is a commitment. There may be times when your commitment is tested. The holiday season is one such time. Fun holiday fitness strategies can actually make you fit. It can also give you a little break from your usual gym routine without sacrificing your weight.
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