I’m sharing my thoughts on how to stay in shape during the holidays. This blog post is titled The Man aka search purposes, so please read on for my full thoughts 😉
Hello friends! what are you doing I hope you had a lovely week! I have a few meetings this morning and can’t wait to put up our Christmas tree tonight!
For today’s post, I wanted to talk about staying fit and “staying in shape” during the holidays.
The festive season is a magical time full of joy, gatherings and celebrations. With everything going on, it can be easy to let healthy habits take a bit of a backseat. Today, I wanted to share some practical tips to help you stick to your fitness routine and stay motivated during this busy and festive season.
How to stay in shape during the holidays
Instead of thinking about “staying in shape,” think about staying healthy, fit, energized, and focused. Focus on habits that make you feel GOOD so you can get through the busy season feeling happy, alive, and at peace. A deeper purpose than vanity-based goals will help motivate you when the going gets tough.
Here are some of the things I like to highlight during the holidays or the busier times of life.
1. Plan ahead
Look at your holiday schedule and make time for physical activity. Every workout, even short workouts, are still worth it. It can be a huge stress reliever and a chance to move your body, which feels good when you’re bombarded with extra responsibilities!
Every Saturday, I sit down and plan my workouts for the week ahead. If it’s planned, I’m more likely to make it happen. On days that are full, I make sure I can at least get some steps in my pillow or take Maisey for a walk.
2. Take a moment for yourself
Make self-care a priority, even though it can be difficult. A quick 20-minute workout or walk or run can be your moment of calm in the chaos.
Incorporate relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation to reduce stress. I love Peloton’s short yoga and meditation classes, and the Calm app is also a great resource for meditation. During this season, I tend to get overstimulated easily – it’s very crowded – and taking at least 10 minutes to breathe or meditate makes a huge difference.
3. Be realistic
While it can be tempting to try to make drastic changes before the New Year, I think December is best spent focusing on maintaining instead of adding a bunch of new wellness goals. Instead of trying to achieve personal bests, focus on consistency.
I also believe that consistency is more valuable than intensity, so feel free to modify your routine based on your schedule and energy.
4. Prioritize sleep
Sleep is so important for mood, metabolism, performance, memory, immune system function, hair, skin, so many things. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep to support recovery and stay motivated during the day. If you have to choose between sleeping or training, I almost always recommend sleeping.
5. Stay hydrated
Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially if you indulge in festive treats. You might like to add electrolytes if that’s something that works for you. Proper hydration can help maintain energy and aid digestion during this delightful time of year. It’s also helpful to watch your caffeine and alcohol consumption.
6. Exercise regularly
Consistency is the key to any solid fitness routine. Remember, it’s not about intensity. is to stick with it for a long time. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week and alternating intensities throughout the week. If you’re short on time, I like to focus on strength training, smart intervals, and strides/overall movement. I also like to remind myself that something is better than nothing. if I only have time for a 15 minute workout, I just make the most of that time.
7. Enjoy the holidays in moderation
It’s important to enjoy the season and all the fun treats and drinks. I like to choose what’s “worth it” for me and I still focus on protein and fiber in all my meals and snacks. If I know a party or activity is going to be low on the protein side, I’ll have a jerky stick, some meat, or an omelette before we head out. This can also help with the blood sugar response because I will moderate the treats with some protein.
Check out these festive outfits that are perfect for parties but comfortable enough for a quick stroll after dinner.
So often I’ll see posts about the damage of sugar and holiday booze, but the reality is that it doesn’t really matter. What you do the rest of the time will have the biggest impact on your goals and how you feel.
How to exercise on vacation
1. Body weight circuits
Simple and effective bodyweight circuits get your heart rate up and burn calories without the need for equipment. These are great travel workouts – I like to do simple squats, lunges, planks, quad work and core.
Try these vacation circuits to stay in shape with minimal space and time commitment.
2. Walking or running
Walking or running is an easy way to stay physically active while spending time with family and friends.
Consider a morning run before the holidays to keep energy levels high throughout the day. A morning hike is also a peaceful little escape when you have a lot to do!
3. High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
HIIT workouts are perfect for the holidays as they are short and effective, helping you burn calories quickly.
Squeeze in a quick HIIT session before heading to a holiday gathering. This is one of my favorite HIIT workouts at home.
4. Workouts at home
At-home workouts are convenient and require minimal setup—perfect for the busy holiday season.
Keep your workout clothes ready and do a quick 20-minute session whenever you have some time. I LOVE the Sculpt Society workouts for quick at-home workouts. This link will give you. one month free!
So tell me, friends: what do your fitness and wellness goals look like as we close out the year?
xo
Gina
*For more:
check out this holiday circuit strength workout
and this healthy for the holidays post
