It is well into December now, which means it’s time to pause and check-in with yourself:  How are you doing?  Are you finding some peace and silence during this season?  Are you embracing moments of joy and wonder, no matter how small?  If you aren’t, no problem!  There’s still plenty of time to reroute and get aligned with what you want out of the holidays.

As a Smart Fit Chick, you’re aware that exercise can be a great mood-booster, not to mention it can give you the vigor to accomplish what you want during the day.  However, the holiday season always poses a challenge to get in the exercise we want, especially because our typical routines get shaken up.

If you’re like me, you’ve packed your running shoes and gear for many trips, only to have them sit in your luggage the whole time.  But since our routines go through some changes when we travel, host guests, take vacation days, etc., it’s okay if your typical exercise routine doesn’t look the exact same way it normally does.  In fact, the holidays are a great time to add a little spice to those exercises, as your schedule pushes you to get creative.

So, maybe you don’t get a run in every day.  That’s okay.  The goal, though, should be to get some sort of movement in each day, to keep yourself at peace and full of energy to accomplish what you want to during this season.

Our goal as Smart Fit Chicks, then, will be to steer clear of one side of the pendulum (forgetting about exercise until January 2^nd…or later!) and the other side (forcing ourselves to squeeze in a lot of exercise, or being consumed with guilt if we’re not able to).  Rather, let’s keep it simple by getting in any movement we can during the day.

Here are some ideas on how to keep yourself in the exercise GROOVE this holiday season:

G-Greet the day.  Is your family one to sleep in late when spending time together over the holidays?  Set that alarm a touch early and snag a quick workout.  Then wake them up by starting the coffee.  You might find yourself in the middle of a good, old-fashioned Folgers commercial J

R-Run a local race.  Want to put those training miles to good use in December and January?  Research local races in the area you’ll be vacationing.  Many places host fun, holiday-inspired races this time of year, most of which help support a good cause. (Click here for Colorado Races!)

O-Offer to help.  Do your grandparents have a lot of shopping and cooking to do before all your cousins arrive?  Offer a helping hand and use your time with them as a chance to carry groceries and move about the kitchen.

O-Offer to lead.  As a Smart Fit Chick, you know a lot about exercise.  Offer to host a fun workout session for your family and friends.  Lead them through your favorite workout video or show them your favorite walking/running trail.  This way, you’re spending quality time together, and exercising at the same time!

V-View the lights.  The holidays bring festive lights galore!  After dinner, skip the car ride and grab your loved ones for a walk around your neighborhood to see how creative your neighbors got this year.

E-Embrace the competition.  Celebrations typically mean many people gather in one spot to spend time together.  Use the influx of people to get some games going, like pick-up basketball or flag football.

The holidays can become an insane time of year, and once we know it, they’re over and we’re more exhausted than when they started.  But…they don’t have to be this way.  In fact, they can be a great time to recharge, reconnect, and reflect.  Creating time for movement each day is one way you can get the most out of your holiday season.

Cheers!

 

Written By: Brittni Paris

Brittni is an alum of Colorado State University, where she mingled with the greats like Kellie Walters and Chrissy Chard. She currently resides in Hoosier Country, with her husband Hunter, working for Indiana University as an academic advisor to business students and donning the IU candy-cane striped pants. She spends her time taking ballet classes, listening to podcasts, biking around town, and hosting friends at her apartment and favorite coffee shops. Brittni earned a B.A. in Psychology, an M.S. in Health and Exercise Science, and is an ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist. She’s excited to pursue a career in wellness coaching, helping women see how great they are and how much good they can bring to the world.

Photo Credits:

Brooke Cagle:

https://unsplash.com/@brookecagle

Adrian:

https://unsplash.com/@aows

Ben White:

https://unsplash.com/@benwhitephotography