Between parties and travel, you may be away from your gym for much of December.
But a few cheap items and a well-managed schedule can keep your fitness goals on track through December.
"You don’t want to lapse too much," said Justin Rudiger, fitness director at
Prairie Life Fitness in Omaha, Neb. "You get to the point where your body doesn’t miss the exercise. If you get to that point where you aren’t missing it, it’s going to be harder to get back into it. Do a few days over the toughest weeks of your holiday schedule. (It) may not be the same as a gym, but (just get) moving."
Airport Exercise
One of the keys to staying fit this holiday season may be a near as your first airport layover. Between weather and overbooking, you're likely to have plenty of time in the terminal. Walk to the furthest end from where you're departing, buy a fitness magazine that's chock-full of do-at-home exercises, then power-walk around until your flight leaves. If you're carrying your bag, that's a bonus.
Refer to the magazine for ideas once you land.
"Simple stuff (helps)," said Rudiger. "I think most people overthink what they need to exercise when they don’t have their gym."
It can be tough to squeeze in time for fitness over the holidays. Many gyms are closed for portions of the season.
No Gym? No Problem
Don't panic. There are plenty of exercises that travel with you or can be done in your living room or yard.
"Go build a snowman," suggested Kim Schwab, a trainer and manager at
Omaha's Pinnacle Club. "Keep some small dumbbells or bands at the house or in your suitcase. Get a yoga book. It will walk you through a workout. Or a DVD -- through Netflix or Blockbuster -- you'll find a huge library (of exercise videos)."
Schwab's colleague Trevor Carden said his favorite exercises don't need any equipment at all. Body-weight exercises such as sit-ups, push-ups, lunges and dips can be done anywhere -- from your sister's guest-room floor, to your hotel room, or even over a lunch break in your office.
Your whole day can provide opportunities to stay fit.
"Park further away in the parking lot," Carden said. "Take the stairs. After I get my groceries, I park the car and carry them all at once -- it's a full body, intensive arm workout."
If you like to drive around and see neighbors' Christmas lights, why not make the trek on foot?
If it is your turn to travel to relatives' homes, consider checking out a new city by taking its walking tour. Carisa Findley, the training manager for
Curves, said city walking tours are a great way to spend time with your family, learn something new and work in some fitness all at once. Many places also rent bicycles for use on city trails.
Checking into a hotel? Findley said a lot of upscale places now charge for use of the fitness center, but she called that a net gain for people trying to keep their fitness routine through the holidays. First, the hottest hotels have some of the most cutting-edge fitness equipment, and paying may mean dedication.
"As soon as you check in, go and pay for the week. Then, you'll be more motivated (to work out every day of your stay)," Findley said.
Hotels with digital cable may offer channels such as
Discovery's Fit TV or
Exercise on Demand.Resistance bands are easy to pack and can be used in nearly unlimited ways to work all of the body's muscles. For example, put one end under a foot and pull against it to work biceps. Tie an end to the bedpost to work triceps, or tie the other end around your ankle for a variety of leg workouts.
Curves members can work out at any of the company's 10,000 gyms worldwide, Findley said. More national gyms are creating locations within airports that their members can use on the road, including World Gym and 24 Hour Fitness. Find listings at
AirportGyms.com.
Some Better Than None
Trainers said the most important thing to remember is that any exercise is better than no exercise, and you have to give yourself room to be a little less dedicated to your workout this month than you may be the rest of the year.
"Don't be too hard on yourself. Value the time with friends and family," Findley said. "Give yourself some rests. Ten minutes is better than no minutes. Make the goal 20 minutes, three times a week."
More Workout Info:Exercise Myths Exercise At Work Health JournalsOther Links:Gaining Weight? Maybe It's Just Water How To Hire A Trainer Secrets Of The Weight-Loss Industry Find The Perfect GymRecent Health Features:Diet Can Help You Enjoy Sex What Men Eat Affects Cancer, Health Women Have Special Needs In Their Diets Foods You Choose Can Boost Your Mood Should You Choose Salad Or Chinese Food?
