By Abagail Sullivan
Content by Esther Rodriguez & Ana Williams of The LESS Institute
With all the hustle & bustle of the holiday season, it can feel close to impossible to find time to stay active. From dinner parties to cold winter weather, keeping our fitness goals on track becomes a struggle for the masses. Don’t let this time get in the way of your routine, but instead create your most active holiday season yet – and even better, kickstart your healthiest new year to come.
Run, Run, Rudolph
Start a new family tradition by signing up for (and holding the fam accountable for) a holiday run. There’s no better time to listen to classic Christmas tunes than when participating in your local Rudolph Run. Prepping for a race, walk or obstacle course will give you an end goal in your motivation – and the kids won’t complain that “Jingle Bell Rock” is playing for the 100th time in a row… everyone wins!
Blaze the Trails
Gather the whole crew, grab some H2O and toss on your sneaks, because getting your heart rate up is only a few steps away. Whether you’re staying local or out of town, do your research ahead of time and find nearby hiking trails, state parks or botanical gardens (perfect spots for your latest Instagram pic) – or simply sidewalk it! As long as you’re out & about, you’re on track.
Refresh Mode
Swing sets & playgrounds may not be an everyday occurrence during the colder months, but now’s the time to shut down those tablets & bring the kiddos to the park. Sneak in a workout by playing a game of tag or throwing it back to the monkey bars. There’s only so much daylight this time of year – so make it last!
“Forced” Family Fun
We all love a good family competition, but instead of bringing out the charades box, opt for a friendly match. Avoid letting the food coma sink in post-mealtime & encourage the sports-themed family fun. Whether it’s for bragging rights or a silly team prize (like that extra gingerbread cookie) gather your loved ones and get your workout in effortlessly. Springing across a field to catch that football or score that goal will rival your traditional cardio & weights routine, no doubt.
Test out these favorites and let us know what YOU do to foster your active holiday season.