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Your Fitness And The Holidays
By: Jackie Confalone
It’s the most wonderful time of the year … and the busiest! On top of our regular schedules are shopping, school activities, parties, family gatherings, decorating, baking, and much more. Although we have good intentions to keep exercise a priority, it’s usually the first thing to go in our busy schedules.
Or maybe you’re on the opposite end of the spectrum, struggling with depression, anxiety, grief, loneliness, illness or some other difficult situation. You want to crawl under a blanket and stay home during the holidays, and going to the gym isn’t even on your radar.
The whys:
– Exercise promotes the release of feel-good brain chemicals such as endorphins, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Raising the levels of these chemicals boosts your mood and overall sense of well-being and helps improve appetite and sleep cycles.
– Exercise reduces and alleviates stress. It helps balance your body’s level of stress hormones, distracts you from upsetting thoughts by focusing on your body’s movements, and physically helps you work out your frustrations.
– Exercise with other people provides mood-boosting social benefits. You can do this through Body Zone’s group fitness classes, working out with a personal trainer, or just working out on the fitness floor. You’ll enjoy the physical stimulation of a workout while getting social stimulation too.
– Exercise helps you avoid gaining weight from all those sweets. Exercise will not only help you feel better, but will keep your weight scale from showing more pounds than you want to during and after the holidays.
– Exercise helps you hit the ground running once any New Year’s resolutions kick in. Many people start exercising for the first time at the beginning of a year with New Year’s resolutions (more on that in our January blog). Many often quit within a few weeks because of sore muscles, pain, the additional work, or possible injury. If you already have an exercise routine, you are ready to take off in the new year with realistic goals to make you stronger and healthier.
The hows:
– Maintain an exercise mindset. Make a promise to yourself that you are going to stick to your normal workouts.
– Include workouts in the remaining days of your December calendar. Schedule them just like all of your appointments and holiday events.
– Don’t make excuses. If you don’t have time after work, rise a little early and work out before. Or take advantage of Body Zone’s lunchtime classes, three of which are only 30 minutes.
– Work out with a partner. Ask a good friend or family member to be your workout partner. Having accountability will ease the pressure to stay self-motivated.
– Try a group fitness class. Body Zone has a huge variety of classes at many times, some such as SPRINT and CORE classes are only 30 minutes. You may find a new class that you love!
– Do short HIIT workouts. When short on time, HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workouts are a great option. They incorporate cardio and strength training. In 20-30 minutes, you can achieve burning from 100-300 calories and build strength as well.
– Schedule a session with a personal trainer. If you’d like to learn about HIIT workouts or how to maximize your time in the gym for your personal fitness goals, schedule a session with one of Body Zone’s personal trainers.
– Just show up! This is important for both those who have crazy schedules and those who are struggling and want to snuggle under a blanket. Come to Body Zone and do your own workout. Walk on the treadmill, ride a stationary bike, or do the elliptical trainer. You will find staff and many friendly gym members who are happy to see you! Not only will you feel better physically, but also mentally and emotionally!
We hope the ideas above help you keep exercise a priority during the holidays. Finding the time to go to the gym during the holidays may not be a holiday miracle, but it is giving your body the gift it deserves!
About Jackie Confalone:
Although retired from full-time work, Jackie is a freelance writer and has been a group fitness instructor for more than 35 years, the last 13 at Body Zone. She particularly loves working with seniors and people with chronic illnesses. She is nationally certified as a personal trainer and instructor for group fitness, Les Mills BODYFLOW, Pilates and SilverSneakers.