Wink’s 10 Ways to Stay Fit During the Holidays

Between holiday cookies and home-baked pies to traveling far distances, it can be a challenge to stay active and committed to healthy habits during the holiday season. With family obligations, holiday parties, and gift shopping, hitting the gym often gets postponed or crossed off the schedule altogether.

The good news is that there are 35 days between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day—and as we move into the holiday season, you can choose to be intentional and stay committed to your fitness goals.

Here are 10 strategies, tips, tricks, and motivational pointers to make fitness part of your holiday season.

1. Snuggle struggles

Snuggling under the blankets while snacking on holiday treats sounds great, but it won’t help you out with your fitness goals. In between baking cookies and playing board games, make time to go out and snowboard, ski, or hike. Your body will thank you!

2. Set a small challenge

Challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone and try something new, whether that be yoga, spin, zumba, weight training, running, hiking, working with a personal trainer, or swimming. Do whatever you choose 5-6 times a week until the end of the year, and you will feel amazing for doing so.

3. Sign up

This time of year offers a variety of different races and runs. Run to Feed the Hungry is a popular one that offers fun and fundraising. Sign up so you have a commitment to stay in shape during the holiday season. (You can modify runs by going with a fast paced walk too, so no excuses!)

4. Watch TV

Although I do not promote hanging out in front of the TV, sometimes it can be good for you. If the weather outside is hindering you from being active, pop in a workout DVD or pull up a YouTube workout and sweat from home. Or try being creative with your TV time and work on your abs and stretching while indulging in your favorite show.

5. Workout buddy

Choose a fitness-minded friend or family member (helpful if you are traveling) to be your holiday workout buddy. Waking up at 5 or 6 a.m. will be much easier when you have someone waiting on you—and you can encourage one another to dress in workout clothes for pre-dinner workouts and post-shopping extravaganzas.

6. Purchase yourself a treat

No, I don’t mean your favorite dessert. Splurge and buy yourself a personal trainer. This has been proven to provide the best individual results. If you can’t afford 1:1 training, no worries; most trainers provide personal training classes at a much lower rate. Get out of your comfort zone and find your fitness trainer and fitness community.

7. Make it a tradition

There are tons of family holiday-themed events. Sign up the whole family (don’t forget the costumes) for a fun, silly Turkey Trot or Christmas Jog. Make it an annual race and a new family tradition.

8. For everyone

Working out can often be a something we do alone, which may explain why so many people skip the gym when friends and family are in town. Start inviting your guests to join you at the gym.

9. Pick a promotion

The majority of gyms and fitness studios offer specials during the holidays. Do some research and sign up when you find your sweet deal. If you’ve newly joined a gym, take advantage of a free consultation with a trainer.

10. Hit your holiday goal by setting one

Set a specific and tangible goal during the holiday season. Again, there are 35 days between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, which is the perfect amount of time to master your push ups, sit ups, squatting, dead lifts, or 7-8-minute mile. It’s an even better time to find your trainer, fitness community, and accountability partners so you are in a perfect position to accomplish your fitness goals for 2017!

Happy Training,
– Jessica Winkelhausen Smith