As the holidays approach us, the excitement of holiday festivities can override the importance of staying fit. However, maintaining a solid fitness routine does not have to be a dreaded chore as the holiday season nears.
“Holiday preparation can be a burden and with that comes stress so hitting the gym and exercising relieves that stress, “said Luis Morales, a fitness professional at Hill Country Indoor. “Also, cold weather and during the holidays, the flu and common colds are spread, so staying fit can boost the immune system and [help] push through those tough environments.”
Although those chilly winter months contribute to a loss of motivation, there is no better time to seize the day through health and fitness so take a look at the following tips to keep you. . .
MOVING
- Throw on your favorite holiday tunes and go for a run or walk.
- Attend a holiday-themed group exercise class like Pilates, Peloton, or aerobics.
- Sign up for your local turkey trot or jingle bell run. Running isn’t your thing? Not to worry – walkers are welcome, too.
- Find a local gym that may be offering a holiday-themed fitness challenge. A popular one is the “12 Days of Christmas Fitness Challenge”, and often ends with the winner earning a free gym membership for the upcoming year.
- Not into the gym scene with dumbbells and treadmills? Ice skating, snow skiing, and even a power walk around the mall shopping for those last-minute holiday gifts are bound to get your heart rate pumping!
EATING HEALTHY
Let’s face it. Most of us all have the universal experience of eating just one slice too many of our aunt’s famous pumpkin/apple/pecan pie during the holidays and feeling just a bit guilty afterward. It’s just all SO GOOD. However, this doesn’t mean you should beat yourself up and cut out all those delicious holiday dishes. Instead, try to maintain more balance by incorporating one of these ideas. . .
- Try swapping out a few ingredients here or there to make your recipe a tad bit healthier. Most recipes have alternatives today, and it only takes a few clicks on the computer to find them.
- Since dairy and gluten are known causes of inflammation and pain in the abdomen, try a variation of milk such as almond or oat milk, and experiment with almond flour.
- Don’t forget to balance those sweets with a portion of protein and green veggies!
The holiday season is meant to be enjoyed! By incorporating these festive elements into your routine, you are sure to enjoy the rewarding portion of fun fitness in the holidays. Not only are you boosting your holiday spirit, but also your overall health. No matter what holiday you celebrate, your body will thank you for the hard work you have put in and you are sure to have the best holiday season yet!
Austin Local fitness runs/events to consider:
- Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot
- Austin Jingle Bell 5K
- Lakeway Turkey Trot
- Austin Trail Of Lights Fun Run
- Other local fitness events
