The thought of working out and being active during the holidays is dreadful for most, when all we really want to do is eat, drink, party, and laze about. But it’s no myth- the best way to live one’s life is through balance. But how does one stay motivated to achieve this balance between fitness and food during the season where the holiday mindset is very much switched on and powerful?
Buddy Up
Working out is so much easier when you have someone to push you and motivate you. Having a fitness partner that will hold you accountable will completely ease the pressure to stay self-motivated. This does not always have to be done physically, a friend can motivate you via phone calls or text messages too, or even work out with you over a video call!
Try Group Fitness Classes
Much like the concept of working out with a partner, group classes are a great way to help get you motivated to workout. Group classes also work on a schedule, so they help you with being strict and consistent with your workouts too! What’s more, you can make some friends while moving your body- and have even more motivators!
Opt for Shorter Exercises
Shorter, more manageable exercises such as HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) are a great way to get your heart rate up, burn those calories, and get that endorphin rush in a short period of time. These types of exercises are intense and achieve a lot in a short amount of time. For example, a HIIT exercise of 20 to 30 minutes can burn as much as 300 calories depending on the intensity. In this way, one might only need a 15 minute HIIT exercise daily to keep on top of their fitness.
Plan Your Workout Times
Schedule, schedule, schedule! There will be way more of a chance of you actually getting down to business if you have set aside a time where you are completely free to exercise. If you are prepared at 7am for a workout at 8am, chances are you won’t miss it! And just like muscle memory in exercise, when you have a set routine that you continuously stick to, the whole process will become a habit in no time.
Change it Up!
If you are one who gets bored easily, you might want to mix it up a bit! Instead of setting aside 4 days a week just for the treadmill, go on a hike with friends, swim, rock climb, or do anything that you can have fun with while getting the exercise in. You will find that if you enjoy the exercise you are doing, it will be easier to continue doing it on a regular basis in the long run.
Obtain the Right Mindset
While it can be hard to adjust the way you view a somewhat daunting activity, the most important step of staying motivated is shifting your mindset and focusing on the positives, and the reason why you started in the first place. Remind yourself that exercising is for your benefit, and is going to help you achieve your long term goals. (And you are going to feel so good afterwards!) Make working out a priority; as with setting a schedule, set your mind to working out on a specific day at a specific time and stick to it- don’t make excuses!
Working out during the holiday time might seem like a complete no-no, but with these steps it will become a lot more feasible to keep up your fitness (not to mention eliminate those post-holiday food blues as well as keep you safer from the pandemic). Try them out for yourself and potentially start seeing a difference in your mind and body.