How to Make Your Workouts More Festive

The holiday season is one of abundance, boasting several different ways to indulge. From the delicious Christmas dinner, to all the treats and festivities, it is difficult to refrain from partaking, and why should you? After all, balance is key! And if you are sticking to an exercise routine and making sure to get your nutrients, a little indulgence should be okay.

There are many ways to make your workouts more festive this year, making it easier to stick to them, even when you are indulging in some festive fun. In fact, starting a challenge that you can involve the entire family in, is a great way to encourage everyone to stay active this season. Don’t forget about the added benefit of helping to reduce that holiday stress too!

How To Make Your Workouts More Festive

Put on a Holiday Movie

Put on a classic holiday movie and treat it like a drinking game, but instead you will be exercising. Every time someone says: “Christmas” do 10 jumping jacks, or when someone is wearing a Santa hat do 5 burpees. Set rules like this throughout the movie and stick to it. Not only will you be enjoying a holiday classic, but you will be working off those treats in a fun and festive way.

Do a 12 Days of Christmas Exercise Challenge

On the      day of Christmas, your exercise will be…

• 1 Minute Plank
• 2 Burpees
• 3 Mountain Climbers
• 4 Supermans
• 5 Side Crunches
• 6 Lunges
• 7 Tricep Dips
• 8 Pushups
• 9 Jumping Jacks
• 10 Sit ups
• 11 Squats
• 12 High Knees

You can repeat this as often as you would like prior to the holidays. Bonus points if you sing while you’re doing it. Just make sure to properly stretch before and after your workout.

Do the Santa Dash

If you have a treadmill and a Santa hat at home, challenge yourself to a Santa dash. Set a timer and see how fast you can “deliver” results in that time period. Give yourself the gift of fitness this season, but not without a little fun first.

Shovel the Snow

Shoveling is fantastic exercise. Not only does it lean to a clear driveway and walkway, but it is quite labour intensive. Make shoveling a family exercise challenge. If you live somewhere with lots of snow, you will appreciate the help. See who can shovel their section the fastest.  Just make sure to lift with your knees, not with your back.

There are several fun ways to make your exercise routine more festive this holiday season. Just remember to stick to it. With all the indulgence and comfort the season has to offer, you will want to keep moving.