Health and Fitness Tips before the Holidays
This year plan for an extra festive, family holiday season that is action-packed with activities. Also include figure-savvy holiday ‘treats’, and your family will be having so much holiday fun they won’t even know it is all part of your plan to keep fit and avoid the holiday bulge.
Strategy #1: Fitness disguised as family fun
Instead of letting the family lounge around in front of the TV after stuffing themselves full of holiday treats, and endless company dinners, plan family-oriented after-dinner activities to expend the excess energy (calories) you consume. Schedule the event a week or two in advance and invite additional family and friends. With a group of excited kids, it will be impossible to back out. Active evenings can include…
- Family & friend skate night
Skating is a great family activity that will burn calories, strengthen the legs and firm the bottom.
Got extra time? Pre-plan games, races and contests to keep everyone entertained and heart rates elevated.
- Holiday-Light Night Trek
Bundle up the kids, and break out the flashlights. Trek through the neighborhood at a good pace to keep your heart rate up while the kids judge which display of holiday themed homes is the best.
Hint: Pulling small kids in a wagon will burn extra calories
- Family Sports night
Partner with a couple of families to pitch-in and rent a community center or school gymnasium for an evening. Arrange games of floor hockey, volleyball, soccer or dodgeball etc…Create fun teams such as dads versus daughters or boys versus girls.
Strategy #2 Girls fitness night out: customized fitness classes for you and your girlfriends (and guy friends too)
Do you have a favorite spin, yoga or bootcamp instructor? Fitness facilities often have limited class schedules or hours during the holidays, making it more challenging to get in for your workout. Contact your instructor or local fitness center and inquire about booking a private class or two over the holidays, just for you and your gang. Surely one of the Dads can babysit!
Strategy #3 Festive treats…that are good for you.
Find fun alternatives to the high calorie sweets that seem to be ever present during the holidays. For example, skip the hot chocolate this season and serve up some après-skate hot apple cider. (Try Mulled Spice Tea available from the Tearoom T, 1568 West Broadway, steeped in apple juice) Garnish with tasty cinnamon sticks. Festive, healthy & delicious!
Have fun making holiday memories that will last a lifetime, with minimal effect on your waistline!
Shari Feuz is the manager of Mixx Co-Fitness Studio in Coal harbour. She is a kinesiologist and personal trainer . Shari can be reached at shari@mixxco.com.
