Exercise at Christmas without a gym
Gyms are pretty deserted at Christmas. Everyone is so busy with preparations, parties, and visits that it’s hard to fit in getting there, changing, and sticking to a routine as regularly as you would the rest of the year.
But don’t give up exercise entirely; doing so will make it much more difficult for you to get back on track. Make exercise part of the fun and stay active until it’s time to head back to the gym in January. Maybe you enjoy the alternatives so much that you will never go back!
1. Do less
Just do ten minutes if that’s all you can handle. Ten minutes of anything: walking around the house or climbing stairs or jumping or bouncing, anything that fits your fitness level and the equipment you have available at home. You can do it in the morning before you shower and it will give you energy for everything you have to do. If you can also fit 10 minutes later, so much the better. You will maintain your fitness levels and use up some calories that you can probably consume at this time of year.
2. Take a class at home
Exercise videos are great if you don’t have a lot of time. It is not necessary to go to the gym, you have everything you need at home. You can pick them up for next to nothing at charity shops or treat yourself to one or two for Christmas. And it doesn’t matter if you don’t know the moves or have the latest fitness equipment, no one is watching!
3. Clean
Sure, you have to prepare your house for visits from friends and family anyway, so do the cleaning with a workout. Put a lot of energy into it! Remove all that clutter, then clean, vacuum, and polish everything until it shines. You will be ready to entertain, maintain your fitness level, and use a few calories at the same time.
4. Active fun
If you have a lot of guests and you can’t get your usual dose of exercise, organize some active fun for everyone! Everyone could go bowling or rollerblading. Or try a game of charades or Twister. If it’s snowing, you can go sledding or host a snowman building competition. At the very least, take them out for a walk every day, whatever the weather. There are sure to be some lights to go see or a local carol service to attend.
5. Dance the night away
Don’t be a wallflower. Take every opportunity to dance at parties (it will also keep you away from the buffet table) or simply invite your partner to dance during the holidays. You will have fun, you will get close and it will be a great exercise. Dancing consumes between 270 and 540 calories per hour, depending on speed.
6. Offer a helping hand
Get active by volunteering in your community. You can help serve lunch at a homeless shelter or nursing home. Or just help your neighbors run errands and clear the snow. You’ll get a warm glow from lending a hand and exercising, and you’ll feel so much better than after sitting all afternoon watching reruns of “White Christmas.”
7. Escape
And if all else fails, book a ski vacation for your Christmas vacation next year instead of staying home. There is a whole year to save (and to dodge the lines when you tell your family that you are leaving next year!) Skiing is a fantastic exercise and you will come back in shape, invigorated and without those extra kilos that many seem to acquire in Christmas.
Copyright 2005, Janice Elizabeth Small