For fitness enthusiasts, the holidays are filled with temptations, from homemade baked goods to eggnog and cocoa. The good news is that it’s possible to enjoy yourself without undoing your healthy habits. Follow these tips to stay fit and active during the holidays.
Work Out in the Morning
If you wait until the end of the day to work out, it’s easy to get sidetracked by your favorite activities. Scheduling workout sessions first thing in the morning ensures that you get some exercise before you’re busy with tree trimming and shopping. Get your heart pumping with your favorite cardio equipment or build muscles with strength training. When you finish, you’re ready to face the day.
Stay Hydrated
Water lubricates your joints, protects the spinal cord and performs many other important functions in the human body. That’s why it’s so important to stay hydrated. If you drink plenty of water during the holiday season, you’ll find it a little easier to stay active. As an added bonus, water helps you feel fuller at meals, which may reduce the number of calories you consume in one sitting.
To ensure you get enough water, fill a bottle in the morning and carry it with you throughout the day. If you find plain water a little boring, add fresh fruits and vegetables to make it more refreshing. Cucumbers, orange slices, strawberries, and blueberries are all popular additions.
Keep Moving
It’s tempting to snuggle up on the couch and spend the entire holiday season watching movies and snacking on cookies. If you want to stay fit, however, it’s important to keep moving. Even if you’ve already finished your workout for the day, you can benefit from taking frequent breaks to move around.
If you watch a holiday movie, take a few minutes at the end to do some stretches. Offer to help a friend hang lights and other decorations—you’ll burn calories by carrying boxes and climbing up and down a ladder. If you need to buy some gifts, go to your local mall and spend time walking around instead of ordering them online from the comfort of an armchair.
Get Plenty of Sleep
It’s difficult to stick to your normal routine during the holiday season. You may travel to spend time with family members or stay up later than usual to take part in your favorite holiday activities. Even if your routine changes, it’s important to get plenty of sleep. When you don’t get enough sleep, you tend to wake up feeling groggy and unmotivated. Getting the right amount of sleep gives you the energy you need to start the morning with a workout and then stay active throughout the day.
Enjoy Treats in Moderation
Cookies, gingerbread houses, candy canes, and other treats are part of many holiday celebrations. If you don’t pay attention to how much you’re eating, it’s easy to pack on extra pounds during the season. You don’t need to eliminate treats completely, but make sure to enjoy them in moderation.
Tek Fitness has the tools and equipment you need to stay fit during the holiday season and beyond. Contact us for more information about how our products can help you get fit and stay that way.
