There’s a reason gym memberships skyrocket on January 1: the holidays are typically when we over-indulge and stop exercising on a regular basis. It’s ok to treat yourself every once in a while, but slacking off or eating poorly can lead to muscle loss, weight gain, and an overall feeling of sluggishness.
Don’t fall victim to the holiday slack off! Men’s Fitness came up with 8 ways to stay motivated and on track during the holidays:
- Plan it out – plan out your training a month in advance. Schedule your workout around travel plans. Pack your workout gear along with your best shirt for grandma’s holiday dinner!
- Get up and get going early in the day – change your schedule so you can get your workout done early in the morning before anyone else gets out of bed. You’ll still have plenty of time to get all the holiday activities done during the day
- Recruit a training partner – find a partner to help you stay motivated during the holiday season. Reach out to your cousin who is going to the same celebration and make a pact to hold each other accountable.
- Use bodyweight – a great workout doesn’t only happen at the gym. Bodyweight workouts can be done anywhere using little to no equipment. Set a timer and see how many burpees or jumping jacks you can do in a minute.
- Accumulate volume – Maybe your schedule just doesn’t allow for an hour-long workout in the morning. That’s ok! Try and schedule several 10-minute workouts throughout the day or perform the same exercise set every hour on the hour.
- Evaluate yourself – keep track of your weight and inches throughout the holiday season. You’ll be more likely to push away from the table sooner if you see the numbers begin to rise.
- Get more people involved – the holidays are a time for family. Involve everyone by having a snowball fight, or planning a snowy hike on New Year’s Eve. A simple walk with the family can be a great way to get everyone moving while still sharing moments together.
- Indulge, and resist – it doesn’t make sense to deprive yourself of your favorite foods. Pick out what you want to eat, but limit yourself to one serving. Once you’re done, put the remaining food in a container and put it in the fridge.
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