Carry On With Fitness Over Christmas?

Let’s face it, there are very few of us who wake up on Christmas morning and head to the gym, as it is perhaps the only day of the year most of us ditch the protein shakes in favour of chocolates and cheese.

Although having a break on Christmas Day is good for the body and mind, this doesn’t mean you have to totally neglect your fitness programme over the holiday period. Here are some tips on how to keep up your workout regime.

• Make a plan

You might have told yourself you’ll have Christmas Day off, but what about Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day? Do these fall on your normal rest days, or will you have to jig these around?

Whatever day you’ll schedule for training, put it in your plan, as this will make you stick to it. We all know it is hard to motivate yourself to go for a run or lift weights once everyone has started on the mulled wine, but if it is scheduled in, you’ll make time for it during the day.

• Don’t train alone

If you think you’ll lack the discipline over the Christmas period, you could always train with a friend. Motivate each other to go to the gym, as you won’t want to let your pal down.

“People train better with a friend as it keeps them motivated and helps them to push just a little harder,” Simply Gym states.

So if you’re feeling sluggish on Boxing Day but have a CrossFit® session planned, get up, get dressed in your seamless leggings and get there, so you and your friend can feel great later.

• Be realistic

Your workouts over Christmas might not be your best, but if you are still showing up and getting them done, you should congratulate yourself. Even if you go for wintry walks instead of a spin class or have fun with the kids at a trampoline park instead of boxercise, as long as you are active, that’s what’s important.