I remember surviving December last year.
The kids’ teachers had just about given up trying to teach anything constructive before vacation.
The dog got into a whole batch of cookie dough (presumably left high enough on the counter to be out of reach) and needed to be rushed to the vet.
The relatives who were supposed to be coming for Christmas dinner were starting to argue about who would bring what to eat.
Somehow I managed to keep my cool.
And people are often surprised to know that during a stressful time like this – even I have to remind myself to stay disciplined with my workout routine.
I know myself well enough to know that if I don’t get to work out, I get grumpy. Really grumpy. Considering all the other stuff going on, I figured I’d better make sure I fit it in.
So here are some of my strategies for “fitting fitness in”, even during the busiest times of the year.
Evaluate your fitness goals. What is absolutely necessary for you to feel like you accomplished something, and what can you let go occasionally?
Remember: the habit is more important than the intensity. This means that even just doing five minutes and then running out the door is more important than skipping your workout entirely. Seriously. You’ll feel much better about yourself if you do something rather than nothing.
Think about all the times each day when you’re waiting. Waiting in the car for someone who needs a ride. Waiting for the soup to boil on the stove. Waiting for the shower water to warm up. Waiting for the water in the microwave to heat up so you can have that cup of tea.
Those moments of waiting are perfect for “quick fitness”. Do some squats. Do some pushups, even if it’s just against the counter. Stretch. Get out of the car and either jog in place or run some laps around the car. You could even run laps around the outside of your house (don’t judge till you try it; I’ve done it).
Remember the usual everyday fitness boosters. Like parking at the far end of the parking lot. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator. Talking on the phone while standing, not sitting. Bracing your abs while sitting at a red light. Doing a wall sit while brushing your teeth. Taking the dog for an extra-long walk (go ahead and tire him out! You’ll be glad later on when he’s too pooped to steal your cookie dough.)
Make the most of household chores and turn up the fun music! Vacuum vigorously. Sweep with big motions. Run up and down the stairs a few times when putting away groceries or the laundry. Scrub tubs and floors in rhythm to the music. Aim to do anything you can to elevate your heart rate.
If possible in your work environment, hold walking meetings. In other words, instead of meeting in a conference room, meet at the door and go for a walk.
When you catch yourself wasting time online (Facebook, Pinterest, whatever), penalize yourself by doing a plank. Either you’ll get a lot more done (because you don’t waste as much time) or you’ll get a much better plank!
Challenge your friends to see who can fit in more fitness each week. Make a game out of it, including a great prize for the winner at the expense of everyone else, and you’ll be amazed at how much more time you find to fit fitness in!
Even though the December holiday times can feel rushed and stressful, when you make sure you get some exercise every day, you’ll be more prepared to greet your guests with a smile!
What are you planning to do for the holidays? Do you need some personal tips and strategizing? Give me a call and I’ll help you make plans to eat, move, and sleep well! Click here to make an appointment.
