Holiday parties featuring high-calorie dishes and busy holiday schedules make holiday weight gain a reality for many people. Completely avoiding the temptations of the holiday season is difficult, but working out helps you counteract some of your holiday indulgences. The colder temperatures around the holidays may limit some outdoor activities. There are still plenty of options for holiday workouts to keep your weight down. Consult with your health-care provider if you are sedentary and want to start a new exercise routine.
Step 1
Set your holiday exercise goals based on your current level of fitness. The Cleveland Clinic recommends increasing your exercise routine slightly to work off the extra calories you might consume. Consider your holiday schedule to determine how much time you have available for exercise.
Step 2
Write your exercise sessions onto your calendar as a reminder. This prevents forgetting to exercise when you're busy with holiday preparations and activities. Scheduling your workouts first thing in the morning helps avoid running out of time or pushing it aside for other holiday events.
Step 3
Plan active holiday events with friends and family, such as an ice skating party or caroling around the neighborhood. This allows you to spend holiday time together while also working in some extra exercise.
Step 4
Include a family member or friend in your regular exercise routine while visiting during the holidays. You won't feel like you're ignoring company to work out, but you also don't have to give up your regular exercise routine. If you normally work out intensely in the gym, swap out your regular workout for a brisk walk around the neighborhood or another exercise that you both enjoy.
Step 5
Give yourself an exercise-related holiday gift to spice up your workout and motivate you to exercise. Consider a new workout video, a piece of gym equipment or a session of an exercise class.
Step 6
Get in additional workouts while completing your holiday tasks. Park several blocks away when attending holiday events, walk around the mall a few extra times while holiday shopping or do some quick exercises while you cook the holiday meal.
Tips and Warnings
- Limiting the unhealthy holiday foods that you encounter helps prevent holiday weight gain, particularly when combined with exercise. If you miss a holiday workout, don't let it completely derail your exercise program. Get back to your exercise schedule the next day.
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