How to Stay Moving through the holidays
The holidays are often a time when gym-goers and regular exercisers begin to make excuses. Family is coming to town, you have to travel, holidays mean lots of eating and conversations--so you don’t make time to get to the gym. Because we understand the struggle, we’re here to give you a few alternate ways and ideas for staying active throughout the holiday season.
If you’re staying in a hotel, use their gym.
Hotel gyms are rarely ideal, but they are adequate for getting in the exercise that you need to power through the holidays. If the hotel has no gym but they do have a pool, utilize it. Swimming may not earn you MEPs, but it is a great form of cardiovascular exercise that you may not do regularly. Swimming gives some of your joints and overused muscle groups a break and allows you to work your most important muscle of all, your heart.
Get the family involved.
If you’re into yoga, kickboxing, pilates or cycling, try to get the family involved. If you feel silly in the standing tree pose all alone, gather the nieces nephews or grandchildren to join in with you. More likely than not, they’re going to be happy to participate and will even be able to learn a thing or two in the process.
Get creative.
Try to think outside of the box when it comes to getting your holiday heart rate up. Strap on your MZ-3 heart rate monitor and try putting together a game of football, basketball, or hide and seek--anything that keeps your heart rate up and keeps you moving. Organizing a foot race around the neighborhood or a photo scavenger hunt around town is a possible way to get moving while bonding with family too. If you find that you’re short on free weights, grab a jug of water or some large soup cans--lifting something is always better than nothing.
Bring your workout plan with you.
Don’t leave home without a plan. Bring a jump rope and resistance bands, whatever it is that you need to get in an effective workout in--don’t leave home without it.
Don’t rule out the gym.
Just because you’re away from your home turf, that doesn’t mean you can’t get a solid in-gym workout in. Call a couple local gyms if they allow visitors to use their facility, or ask the family you’re staying with if they have a bring a friend membership.
Walk, or even better, RUN!
There is no excuse for not walking or running during your holiday break. If you happen to be traveling, an alternate terrain or alternate elevation can intensify your run to earn you more MEPs than usual. If you get stuck at the airport, there is plenty of room to power walk up and down the terminal.
In the end, remember to not over do it. Don’t sacrifice time that should be spent with family to hit the gym. Though exercise is incredibly important, holidays should also involve relaxing and connecting with the ones you love most. Holiday fitness, holiday fitness, holiday fitness.
How do you plan on earning MEPs over the holidays? Share photos with us using #EffortRewarded
