The festive season is packed with Christmas parties and other events. On the one hand, that’s wonderful, but we may end up forgetting to take care of ourselves. However, our health isn’t something we can simply forget about!
To stay healthy, we need to eat mindfully and get a moderate amount of exercise and everyday movement, and the festive season should be no exception. After all, we want to feel good in our bodies at Christmas too.
So how can we make sure that we continue to take good care of ourselves during the festive season? Here are a few suggestions:
Give exercise a clear place in your daily schedule
If you set aside a specific time for exercise each day, it will be easier to follow through. The best time depends on your schedule and commitments. Whenever possible, we recommend starting your day with some exercise, as it will give you energy for the rest of the day. If exercising in the morning simply isn’t possible, perhaps your lunch break or immediately after work would be a good time?
Set clear, achievable goals
If you aren’t used to exercising regularly, start with small steps—it probably isn’t a good idea to begin training for an Ironman event or a marathon right away. Starting with two or three workouts a week or aiming for 15 minutes of active movement a day is certainly a much more sustainable approach. Just as appetite grows with eating, building a good habit begins with taking the first step!
Exercise with family or friends
It can sometimes be difficult to motivate yourself to make time for daily exercise, but a fun workout partner or group can help you stay motivated. If you agree on a shared goal and hold one another accountable, you’ll immediately be less likely to skip a workout.
Exercise wherever it’s most convenient for you
If you don’t want to force yourself to run outside in the cold and the gym doesn’t appeal to you, you can exercise at home. Home workouts can be highly effective, and they offer a convenient way to try different trainers and workout styles. You’ll also save the time you would otherwise spend travelling.
Spend as much time outdoors and in nature as possible
If you can spend time outdoors, dress appropriately, head outside and enjoy the fresh air. Skiing, sledding, ice skating and walking in the fresh air will refresh your mind and invigorate your body!
In addition to setting a daily activity goal, you could aim to drink the amount of water you need each day—an average of 2 litres would be a good target, for example—and put something fresh on every plate. By doing so, you’ll have taken several steps towards a healthier Christmas season and, why not, a healthier future too.
The hardest part of developing good habits is getting started—once they become part of your daily life and routine, most of the work is done.
On the FitQ platform, you’ll find several home workouts that will help you stay active every day, and an effective workout really can be just 15 minutes long. Try, for example:
This December, a free workout challenge is also under way on the FitQ platform. By taking part in a team of 3-5 people, you can work out for free and, if you complete the challenge successfully, enter the prize draw as well. If that sounds like something that would motivate you to exercise with your friends and family, register today. It’s not too late to start! Read more HERE!
