10 Holiday Health Tips

Boost your mood and metabolism during the holidays.

It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year… to stay fit. When parties and shopping come to the forefront, the first thing to keep on your nice list is exercise. You might be asking, “How can I possibly find time for fitness with houses to decorate, parties to host, gifts to wrap, cards to send and turkeys to cook?” Well, I promise you can.

Fitness is your answer to keeping off the holiday pounds, looking great on New Year’s Eve, boosting your immunity through flu season and managing the demands of a season full of activity, all while enjoying the process.

Here are a few things everyone can do to stay fit and stress free this holiday season.

1. Create Some New Traditions
Instead of the usual baking fest, consider training for an event with your family, such as the Jingle Bell Run or The Santa Dash. You can find events in your area at www.active.com. Get creative and instead of meeting your girlfriends for lunch, meet for a Pilates class and some tea to exchange gifts.

2. Manage Your Time
Plan your workouts ahead of time, then plan shopping and parties around your exercise commitments. Early morning exercise should not interfere with holiday traditions.

3. Review Your Goals and Priorities
Taking time for your physical fitness will most certainly pay off in far-reaching ways throughout the season. Where will you be in three months if you give up on exercise now? Where can you be?

4. Find a Buddy
Couples who exercise together increase their chances of sticking to their program by 90 percent versus exercising alone. If your resolutions for 2009 are sounding similar to those made in 2008, 2007, 2006 and so on, it may be time to enlist a significant other.

5. Measure Your Progress
Knowing your starting point and tracking your improvements throughout the holidays will inspire you to continue. Get out the scale, stopwatch, camera and measuring tape to record your starting points. Create a folder or journal to store your stats, along with workout cards, inspirational pictures and personal goals.

6. Put Fitness Gear on Your Holiday List
Politely hint that you would prefer a gift certificate to the gym, a new pair of running shoes, a heart-rate monitor or a new workout DVD.

7. Take Advantage of Winter Activities
If you live in a cold climate, the world is your gym. Consider cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or ice skating. If you live in a warm climate, go for a bike ride, walk or trail run.

8. The Gym is Quiet
Once Halloween rolls around, enrollment at the gym declines steadily through the end of December. This is a great time to join before the New Year rates increase and the trainers are too busy to guide you.

9. Have a Detox Day
Monday’s are a good day to stick to fresh fruits and vegetables to give your body a break from any excess treats from weekend parties. Consider smaller, more wholesome meals the day after an indulgence. Herbal decaffeinated teas are also a healthful choice.

10. Convenience is Key
Break out the workout DVDs, dust off the home equipment or resort to basics like walking, sit-ups, squats and push-ups.

Bonus Tip! Sign Up for Lessons
If you commit to taking dance lessons throughout the holidays, not only will you will have built in some enjoyable exercise time, but you also will be able to show off all of your latest moves on New Year’s Eve. Consider a winter session in kickboxing, tennis, martial arts or swimming.

If you continue waiting until next Monday, you’ll wait until January and then you’ll wait until spring. There is no time like today to begin your quest for improved physical fitness. Start out with some activity you enjoy and engage in it most days of the week until it becomes a habit. Have a safe, happy and fit holiday season and a healthy New Year! SFW

About Kelli Calabrese
Kelli Calabrese, MS, is a national fitness, nutrition and lifestyle expert committed helping people live longer, stronger and more vibrantly. She is the author of Feminine, Firm & Fit!—Building a Lean Strong Body in 12 Weeks and has been voted Personal Trainer of the Year twice. www.KelliCalabrese.com

Additional Reading

• It Pays to Shop Around
• The Secret to Success—Anytime, Anywhere
• 10 Steps to a Healthier Body… and a Happier You!