5 Holiday Fitness Tips to Keep You on Track

Holiday Season is a busy time of year, however, staying active will be well worth your time and effort. Maintaining a fitness routine may be your magic bullet to  reduce stress, boost energy levels, and stay sane during the holidays.

Of course, during one of the busiest times of the year, this is easier said than done. Here are 5 tips to help keep you on track:  

1. Cut Yourself Some Slack and Give Yourself Grace. Practice compassion with yourself this holiday season. If you find you’re over-indulging, or are just feeling wonky, don’t pressure yourself to keep your regular routine. Instead, just focus on showing up without judgement. Getting your body moving, even for 10 minutes, is a win – keep it that simple. Movement and exercise boosts your brain O2 levels and your mood. 

2. Create a Morning "Me-Time" Routine.   Your evenings may quickly fill up with holiday parties and dinners, family obligations, errands and to-dos, so make mornings your time. When your alarm goes off, hop into the shower, put on your workout clothes, or program your coffee maker so it’s waiting for you – whatever works. Set your alarm 15-20 minutes earlier, so you have a few minutes to sit quietly, read, breathe or meditate, so you can head into your day calm, focused and unrushed.

3. Try Doing Shorter Workouts.  When you don't have time for a full workout, break it up into smaller chunks – or "exercise snacks". Try 10-20 minutes of strength training or cardio intervals whenever you can fit it in, then take a 15 minute walk after dinner. You don't need an hour to workout (I never do). Short, smartly designed workouts are your friend, not only on busy days, but every day. All of the workouts in my Bolder STRONG program are just 20-40 minutes. Aim to keep your fitness momentum going, but allow for flexibility with duration. It's better to be imperfectly consistent than inconsistently perfect. 

4. Make it a Habit! Struggling to self-motivate? You’re not alone! Motivation is never constant. I love to workout, but some days I really struggle to get to it. A great way to pump yourself up is to change into your workout clothes and put on a pumped up playlist of your favorite songs!  Or recruit a workout buddy to help keep you both accountable.

5. Set Intentions and Boundaries. Remember what the holidays are really about -- Joy, Love, Peace, Gratitude, Giving, and Kindness. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or like you might lose it, pause and take a few deep breaths to center and calm yourself, or get outside for a short walk to get some fresh air and a shift of perspective. 

Sticking with a fitness routine will not cure holiday stress – but it will help you deal with it better. I’ll say it again, “If Momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!”

Don't have a fitness program yet or confused on where to start? I got you! My FREE 5-DAY FITNESS RESET will get you moving and give you a taste of what's inside Bolder STRONG. Click HERE to get started!