10 Essential Hacks for Staying Fit During the Holidays

The holidays are here! Besides trying not to eat everything in sight, Joan Pagano has some simple and effective holiday fitness tips for us. Give them a try and take control of this holiday season!

Staying in shape during the holiday season can be tough with all the parties, travel, and disruptions to your routine. But don’t worry, planning ahead can help keep you on track. Here are 10 tips to maintain your fitness during the busy season:

1. Make movement a daily habit. The key to staying fit is consistency in your daily routines.

2. Think in terms of “activity” instead of “workout.” Look for chances to be active throughout the day, like walking to work, taking the stairs, or doing household chores. It all adds up!

3. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days of the week (at least 5 days). You can break it up into shorter sessions of 10-15 minutes, which can be just as effective as longer workouts.

4. Incorporate simple exercises into your routine to give yourself a mini full-body workout. Bodyweight exercises like push-ups, squats, and crunches can be done without any equipment. Do 10-15 reps of each every other day, and add another set if it gets too easy.

5. Break up long periods of sitting by moving around for five minutes every hour.

6. Track your steps with a smartphone, pedometer, or fitness tracker. Gradually increase your steps, aiming to add 1,000 more steps per day each week until you reach 10,000 steps a day.

7. Use small moments throughout your day to squeeze in a few minutes of exercise, whether you’re at the kitchen sink, sitting at your desk, or relaxing on the couch.

8. Improve your balance by standing on one leg while brushing your teeth.

9. Do range-of-motion exercises in the shower where the warm, moist air can help loosen stiff hands and fingers.

10. Stretch your muscles at the end of the day to relieve tension and improve your sleep. Aim to stretch daily, but even 2-3 times a week can make a difference.

You don’t need to do intense workouts or stick to a strict diet during the holidays. Just add a few of these tips to your routine to help maintain your fitness and enjoy a fantastic holiday season!