1) Set Realistic Fitness Goals
The holidays tend to be busy, and it might not be realistic for you to get in your customary daily hour at the gym. Instead of setting yourself up for disappointment by trying to fit too much into the holiday season, modify your goals to something achievable.
2) Sweat While You Shop
By turning your holiday shopping runs to the mall into exercise sessions, you’ll save yourself time while burning off Christmas dinner. Park in the back of the lot and walk around the mall a few times while shopping. Burn calories while burning your wallet!
3) Exercise in Short Spurts
Most health professionals agree that you should be getting 30 to 60 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise at least four days per week, but you don’t have to get it all at the same time. Rake the leaves in your yard in the morning, go for a short jog after lunch and take your dog for a stroll in the evening.
4) Transform Family Time into Fitness Time
Spending time with loved ones is part of what makes the holidays so special, but you don’t have to give up this time to exercise. Instead, recruit your family and friends to join you in your fitness pursuits. Take a walk or hike together, go ice-skating or play a game of flag football to get your heart rate up while enjoying the company.
5) At-Home Workout
Instead of spending your time driving to the gym and back, invest in a home workout DVD. Many call for inexpensive and basic equipment, such as resistance bands, an exercise ball or dumbbells, and you can always find 20 minutes to pop in the video between holiday activities. If you enjoy dancing, zumba, yoga, pilates, invite some of your friends (if space permits) and have a fitness party.
credit: www.livestrong.com