It’s that time of year again! The temperature has dropped, the mince pies are on the supermarket shelves and you’re rushing around, trying to get all your Christmas shopping done on time this year.
The truth is that whilst the Christmas period is a busy one for many, we also find ourselves indulging – or overindulging – in food and drink, and exercise over the Christmas period can quite easily fall by the wayside.
We need exercise in our lives
The truth is, we need exercise over the Christmas period just as much as we do at any other point of the year. However, with the short days and the hectic schedule of Christmas parties and commitments, it’s not always that easy to stick to a regime or have any regularity in your day to day life. This is why it becomes very difficult to keep up the good exercise habits that you’ve spent the year getting into, and it takes some work to keep on top of it all.
Fear not, help is on hand, and we’ve put together these top tips in order to help you stick to an exercise regime over the Christmas period.
Practice some self discipline
Top of the list is self discipline. This is key if you stand any chance of sticking to your exercise regime and will be vital if you want to achieve results throughout December. It’s so easy to let things slide, but with a little self belief and a lot of self discipline, you have the power to take control and stick to your regime.
Set yourself rules and stick to them. When the alarm goes off for the early morning run, don’t allow yourself to hit the snooze button. Be strict, and get yourself out of bed to hit the ground running.
At the other end of the scale, make sure you’re keeping to a strong structure in other areas of your life. Make sure you’re going to bed at a reasonable time so that you have the energy to tackle your exercise the next day. It’s not always easy, but with some self discipline you’ll soon find that you’re managing to keep on top of your exercise plan.
Be realistic
So your self-disciplined and going to give it your best shot – but are your expectations realistic?
Don’t over-stretch yourself over the Christmas period and set unrealistic targets and goals. Make sure that your exercise plan is effective but also sensible. Have you considered the hours of daylight? The temperature? The ground conditions? All of these elements can have a big impact on your planned activities. Make sure you’ve considered all of these aspects so that you don’t fall at the first hurdle, and make sure you look after your body at the same time. You are not a machine, so make sure that you are giving your body the time and attention it needs. Invest in a sports massage to help with peak performance, and don’t just rely on being able to give 100% every day on your own. Remember: you can’t achieve the impossible, no matter how hard you might try.
Find the right balance of indoor and outdoor exercise
Go easy on yourself. The Christmas period can be cold, wet and icy, and this makes for a very difficult training environment. Consider a gym pass if you don’t already have one (some gyms offer short term passes or taster sessions) meaning that you can utilise your local fitness centre without committing to any long term expense.
Another alternative is to watch fitness video content and exercise in the comfort of your own home. There are a number of different exercise videos out there, many of which have been proven to get great results – and you don’t even have to set foot in the snow to tone up.
Work out with others
You don’t have to go it alone. Work out as part of a winder group. Motivate one another and help keep each other focused. Local running groups are a great way to stay fit whilst socialising, and if you attend a gym, take part in a fitness class.
It’s amazing how much a group of people with a shared goal can have a positive impact on one another and enable you to achieve your very best potential over the Christmas period.
Stay positive
Remember, Christmas is a hugely enjoyable time of the year. Get the balance right, and enjoy spending time with your family. If you miss a session or two, don’t panic – the New Year is just around the corner, and it’s amazing how much the weather will start to improve in the build-up to Easter.
You’ve got this!
Jenkins Soft Tissue Therapy is offering appointments throughout the winter months. Contact us today to find out more about how our wide range of treatments can help you.
