KEEPING FIT DURING THE HOLIDAYS
It’s been difficult enough for us to get in our exercise during this pandemic. Add holidays to the mix and most of us find keeping fit less of a priority during this busy time. It probably also has to do with colder weather keeping us inside, those hearty seasonal meals, and maybe adding in some holiday cheer. Heck, the gyms aren’t open and who wants to stick to a diet.
Plus, you don’t want more stress and trying to keep to your usual workout program might do just that. Still, staying physically active will give you energy, reduce tension and even work off some of those extra calories you’re adding.
If you’re travelling here are a couple of keeping fit tips: Bring resistance bands—they’re easy to pack and you can use them for strength exercises whenever you have a few minutes to yourself. Bring along your laptop—or just use your smart phone—for streaming workouts online. Also pack your walking or running shoes and, when you can, sneak out for a quick 20 minute walk or jog.
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Here are excerpts from the November 2019 Harvard Medical School article Keep your health habits on track during the holidays:
“The truth is, people do tend to abandon healthy habits during the winter,” says Dr. Beth Frates, clinical assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School.
While many people who indulge a little too much during the holiday season are able to refocus in January, others never regain the fitness ground they’ve lost or drop the pounds they’ve added. But it doesn’t have to be this way. If you’re committed to maintaining your health goals, there are some simple strategies that can help keep you moving in the right direction through the holidays and beyond, says Dr. Frates.
Change your focus. The holiday season is a wonderful time to work on cultivating quality connections with family, friends, and colleagues. Instead of seeing it as a series of parties where you can indulge in food and drink, focus instead on improving relationships and making memories.
“It’s not as much about filling your stomach with fine food as it is about filling your heart with the love of those around you,” says Dr. Frates.
Don’t pause workouts. “Everyone gets busy during the holidays, and often, the first thing to go is their workout plan. This is what NOT to do,” says Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, assistant professor of medicine and pediatrics at Harvard Medical School.
“A regular workout schedule of at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity will not only help relieve stress, it will lead to better weight regulation during a time when calorie-dense foods are the norm.”
Try a new activity. A fun, new workout can inspire you to get moving when the cold weather hits. If you’re a walker, head to the mall to do some laps. The holidays are a great time to experiment, whether it’s trying a Zumba class or swimming laps.
Enlist your friends and family. Take the opportunity to connect socially and boost your fitness with a friend or family member. Exercise is always more fun if it doubles as a social activity.
Gear up for activity. Putting together your own wish list for the holidays? Add some fitness items — maybe a set of hand weights or a portable minicycle that you can use while you sit at your desk or watch television at night. Or ask for a cooking class so you can learn how to make some healthy meals.
Proper winter clothing can make it possible for you to enjoy the cold weather without feeling the chill.
“As the old New England saying goes, there’s no such thing as bad weather, there’s just inappropriate clothing,” says Frates.
Track your habits. Food logs, activity trackers, fitness watches, or even a simple calendar are good ways to keep tabs on how often you are exercising. Tracking your daily progress can make you more conscious of your health habits and alert you when you’re starting to slide.
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Most important is to be realistic and go easy on yourself. You can’t always be in charge of your schedule during the holidays so you’ll need to adjust. Remind yourself that you can get back into your keeping fit routine with the new year.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!