KEEP WORKING OUT
As the holiday season approaches, I want to encourage all of us to continue our workouts. Our eating may waiver (A LITTLE), but working out should remain consistent. Our bodies need that 30 minutes a day for more than just to lose or maintain weight; we need it for our health. We have talked about exercise for weight loss, but let me give you a few other benefits.
1. Helps you sleep better
2. Causes you to continue burning calories AFTER you exercise (specifically as you build muscle)
3. Improves mood
4. Puts “the spark” back in your marriage (if you get my drift…LOL)
5. Reduces stress and anxiety
6. Improves energy and endurance
7. Helps you meet new people
8. Decreases chances of many health conditions and diseases
Over the course of the holidays, consider changing up your exercise routine. Pick up some weights. Try a hula hoop! If you’ve been walking, pick it up a little by jogging a block. Try to be as active as you can with the family. Instead of sitting on the couch watching football after your meal, invite the family outside for a backyard game of football. (I have wonderful memories of playing football in the backyard with my family).
We are all probably going to be eating more than usual over the next few months, even if we make it a priority to be careful. Remember that you can’t undo what you eat through exercise. However, if you eat more and stop exercising, you will almost certainly gain the weight back and feel sluggish, tired, bloated, and probably horrible.
Finally, try to think of simple ways to incorporate exercise into the busy holiday season. Park farther away at the mall. Dance around the living room with your kids to Christmas music. ( I actually just did this with Jonah and made a point to do squats and throw him up in the air. I was totally winded and sweaty by the time I was done!) Sign up for a Turkey Trot. (One of my best friends does a turkey trot every year as a family tradition). Go for an evening walk and look at Christmas lights.
Don't give up on your workouts this holiday season! Make it happen, Captain!!!
(Ideas from WebMD were used in this post)
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