How to stay fit during the busy holiday season
November has already almost come and gone, all of the holiday lights are starting to appear and we have the rest of the year full of family, friends, parties, and lots of eating and drinking. It is easy to let this time of year throw you off your fitness track. We all get really busy, traveling near and far, and it is very hard to keep a consistent schedule.
Here are some things I have done to keep myself fit during the holidays.
BRING ALONG RESISTANCE BANDS
When I started to travel a lot, I would get anxious that the places I was going wouldn’t have a gym. I decided to try out resistance bands. I ordered some off Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Fit-Simplify-Resistance-Exercise-Instruction/dp/B01AVDVHTI) there are 5 different resistances and it also came with a booklet of some exercise ideas. I was skeptical at first because really how many different moves can you do with these awkward bands. Turns out, I was wrong. Not only can you hit mostly every muscle group, I was doing 45 minute workouts because there was so much to do. After the first day doing it, I woke up the next day extremely sore and that is when you know you did a good job. They are super compact and can fit into any purse, carry on, or suite case. Definitely a great thing to bring on all your holiday travels.
CHECK OUT LOCAL DEALS
Wherever you are going there is bound to be some sort of gym or fitness studio. Before you hit the road, check out what your destination has to offer. Most places will offer free first time classes or some sort of discounted rate for visitors. Find out what is around before you go so you can schedule a workout into your trip.
EASY ONLINE VIDEOS
Many fitness trainers and even studios offer classes online. You can find live streams, recorded workouts and even sites that let you custom build a routine. My very best friend Elise Joan has an amazing website where you can customize a work out around what you want to work on and also how much time you have! Check her out at http://elisejoanfitness.com/ (you even get a free trial) and I am not just endorsing her because she is one of my closest friends, her knowledge of the body and ability to make you work your booty off is why I highly recommend her.
TAKE YOUR FITNESS KNOWLEDGE AND MAKE UP YOUR OWN WORKOUT
Most of us who are concerned about staying with our fitness routine during the holidays are pretty familiar with working out. All you have to do is take your knowledge of all the different workouts or classes you do and pick and choose some of your favorite things. After trying out all sorts of combinations of moves, here are some easy ones you can do anywhere. Run through this list 4 times and I promise you will be sweating.
PLANK WITH KNEE TO ELBOW
The exercise targets the core, specifically the obliques, to build strength and increase stability. Begin in the top of a pushup position with hands directly beneath your shoulders. Tighten your abs and bring one knee to the outside of the same arm, pausing for a moment before straightening the leg back behind you. Keep the leg elevated and repeat the movement. Make sure you squeeze your abs as you bring your knee forward. 12 ON EACH SIDE
STANDING HIGH KNEES
Great cardio to get the heart rate pumping! Works your quads, glutes, abs, hamstrings, and hip flexors. Stand straight with the feet hip width apart, looking straight ahead and arms hanging down by your side Jump from one foot to the other at the same time lifting your knees as high as possible, hip height is best. The arms should be following the motion. Touch the ground with the balls of your feet. DO FOR ONE MINUTE
PLANK JUMP
Increase strength in your arms, shoulders, and back. Hold a plank position with shoulders stacked over wrists. Body stays flat with shoulders in line with hips. Jump both feet out to the side and back in at the same time. DO 20 JUMPS
SQUAT HOLD BURPEE
Awesome leg workout, they elevate the heart rate for a high caloric burn and they force you to use your core in order to get up and down quickly. Come into a squat position and hold for 5 seconds. Then drop to the ground into a push up position and QUICKLY pop back up to that squat hold with out letting your body come above a low squat position. DO FOR 1 MINUTE
TOE TOUCH CRUNCHES
Lie down on the floor, back to the ground. Lift your legs straight up the sky with only a slight bend in your knees. Keeping your lower back pressed against the floor, slowly lift your torso and use your hands to try and touch your toes. Keep shoulders lifted from the ground. DO 50 TOUCHES
