Staying in shape when the weather outside is frightful!

So, it’s the holidays. Cold weather, getting together with family, big holiday dinners, Christmas cookies, staying warm, hot chocolate, snow and gift giving is the name of the game. However, just because it’s too cold outside to go exercise doesn’t mean you have to pack on those ever-pesky holiday pounds or feel guilty about changing your eating habits! Follow these tips to avoid those extra pounds!










1. Hit the gym on the days you won’t be having holiday fun.
Going to a gym to keep your metabolism up during the winter is a must. People gain weight over the holidays due to a combination of two things: They eat more during the holiday season and are less active because of the weather. Hitting the treadmill or elliptical and doing calisthenics, and stretching as always will help your body keep up metabolism and burn off grandma’s pie before it can manifest itself around your waist!

2. Do at home exercises!
Sometimes, a gym membership just isn’t in the financial picture, or maybe the commute to get to one is a pain, especially when it involves snow. Take some time out of the day to stretch, do some abdominal exercises like crunches, sit ups, or bicycle kicks, do some push ups or pull ups (if you have a pull up bar), jog in place for 30 minutes, whatever you can do as long as you don’t injure yourself or neglect the holidays to work out.

3. Control yourself during those delicious holiday meals
Think before you take that second helping of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and stuffing or that second piece of grandma’s home made pie. You can still enjoy the delicious holiday foods, just don’t stuff your face! Also, we all know that plate of Christmas cookies mom just baked look delicious, but refrain from taking more than 1 or 2!

4. Remember, it is the holidays after all
A holiday is a day for you to enjoy yourself, eat some delicious food and spend quality time with friends and family. Don’t drive yourself nuts! You can skip going to the gym on Christmas day if you want. Live a little! If you feel guilty while you are eating pie and chatting it up with your friends and family, remind yourself that this is a day, and you can always spend the non-holidays going back to your healthy lifestyle.

Happy holidays and happy working out!

For more reading, check out these links!
http://www.bukisa.com/articles/218613_top-ten-indoor-exercises-for-the-winter
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Lempert3.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/429143/ten_tips_to_staying_in_shape_during.html?cat=51