December tends to be the month where people put exercise on the back burner because schedules are overwhelmed with shopping, parties, and other various activities. Many people think ahead towards January and commit to starting back with their exercise in full swing once the New Year rolls around. Let me challenge you to commit to sticking with exercise, even if it involves a modified routine! It will be worth it! Here are my top reasons for sticking with exercise this holiday season.
1. Exercise will be easier when January arrives. Instead of having to start a new routine in January, you will just be continuing on with, or stepping up, your current routine. When you completely stop exercising, your body loses your fitness gains fairly quickly. Do yourself a favor and help your body maintain what you’ve worked so hard for in the past weeks, months, or year!
2. Exercise helps combat holiday weight gain. There are generally some extra calories consumed throughout the holiday season, so why not burn some of them off with a good workout?!
3. Exercise helps improve your immune system. Who wants to miss out on all the holiday fun because of a cold? Not me!
4. Exercise can be a great way to spend time with family and friends. Incorporate activities that burn calories into your holiday routine. Ice skating, skiing, or just bundling up and heading out for a walk can be great ways to have fun while exercising.
5. Exercise can help fight the winter blues. Are you tired of it being dark by dinner time? Head to the gym for a workout! Exercise can help relieve some of the symptoms that people struggle with in the winter. Even better, get outside for a walk or run. Many resources say that being outside even on cloudy days can help combat the winter blues. Since exercise can also help in the fight, you get a 2-for-1 deal!
6. You can benefit from small amounts of exercise. We tend to have an “all or nothing” attitude towards exercise, but since you can benefit from bouts of exercise as short as 10 minutes, you might as well take advantage of it!
7. Exercise can help reduce stress. While the holidays are often filled with fun and joy, they can also be somewhat stressful. Exercise helps combat stress even when it feels like you can’t add another thing to your schedule.
8. You’ll have more energy. While it seems that the opposite would be true, exercise has been shown to increase energy. We could all use a little more energy for shopping and parties!
9. You’re setting an example for your family. It is important for your children and other family members to see that exercise is a priority for you. These benefits may not be ones that are reaped immediately, but teaching your family a healthy lifestyle has benefits for years to come!
10. Exercise can easily fit in to your schedule if you think ahead. Many people give up on exercise because they see it as something that takes up too much time. While it does take time, you can be strategic and think ahead in order to easily fit in a routine. As mentioned above, every little bit counts, so don’t worry if you don’t spend your usual hour at the gym. Check out my Staying Fit Through the Holidays post for more tips on fitting exercise in during the holidays.
What motivates you to exercise during the holidays? Leave a comment below!
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