If you think there’s no point in even trying to exercise over the holidays, tweak your thinking just a bit.
Focus on getting in at least a little intentional movement every day, even when you can’t actually exercise.
In your efforts to be consistent, this is one of those “a little is better than nothing” instances. If you think about how you can move more, even in little doses, it all adds up before you realize it.
So, don’t just shrug and sit there for yet another college football game!
If you’re with family, look for ways to incorporate them into your activity, too, so it becomes a social or bonding moment. Snowball fight with the kids? Flag football in the park? Heck, yeah!
Here are 10 easy ways to move it (so you don’t lose it) during the holidays or at any time.
- Stretch for a few minutes each morning.
- Walk to the mailbox every day.
- Park at the far end of lots so you’ll have to walk farther to the building entrance.
- Take the stairs instead of elevators or escalators.
- Invite someone on a walk to catch up, rather than meeting for lunch or coffee.
- Stand up when making phone calls or checking emails.
- Set a timer to get up and move around every 30 minutes.
- Dance during every commercial break when you’re watching TV.
- Wear a fitness tracker and set a goal for steps, calories or minutes spent in motion
- Walk to run errands whenever possible.
What else can you think of?
Incorporate moves like this into your daily lifestyle – plus regular visits to exercise with us – and you’ll be on your way to a fitter, healthier and happier you before the new year starts.
Holly Kouvo is a personal trainer, functional aging specialist, senior fitness specialist, brain health trainer, writer, and speaker.