Please repeat with me:
I will NOT fall off the exercise wagon this holiday season!
The holidays are not a reason to blow off exercise until January 1st!
Tape these mantras to your wall if you have to- whatever works!
Staying consistent with exercise during the holidays is my number one tip for Staying Healthy During The Holiday Season! Exercise keeps me feeling energized, balanced, healthy, and glow-y.
Yes, glow-y!
Eric and I will be spending this Christmas with my dad in New Brunswick! Sadly, our dear Sketchie won’t be coming, but at least the in laws will be here to cat sit for us. ;)
Today, I wanted to explore what my best tips are for ensuring that my workouts don’t fall by the wayside during this busy time of the year. I will be blogging while we are away showing you how I am doing! Hopefully it will be more of ‘I rocked that workout’ rather than ‘I’m stuffing my face with vegan cookies’ lol.
Tip #1: Always pack workout clothes and sneakers
This tip is obvious, but worth stating. If you don’t have your workout clothes and sneakers you have a high chance of not working out while traveling. Who really wants to wear Aunt Betty’s old sneakers anyways? ;) Bring everything you need so there are no excuses: sneakers, socks, workout bra, tee, shorts/pants, music, hat, gloves, etc! You catch my drift.
Tip #2: Get a pass at a local gym
This is something I have done many times in the past. I did a quick Google search and I found that there is a new gym just 10 minutes from my dad’s place- SCORE!!! I also found that they have a free week pass on their website- DOUBLE SCORE! This will be a great way to ensure that I can fit in some exercise even if there is a huge snow storm and I can’t workout outdoors. Being a born and raised Maritimer, I know how brutal the weather can be there. Often the snow banks are taller than my dad! Any Maritimers out there?
I printed out my free week and already placed it in my suitcase that I will be taking with me (nerd alert!)
Tip #3: Bring a workout DVD
I will be bringing 30-Day Shred with me ‘just in case’. Who knows, I might get the whole family doing 30-Day shred together! ;) I’m not sure if my dad has hand weights, but I can always use soup cans in a pinch.
Tip #4: Plan Active outings with the family
My dad emailed me asking me if there was anything I wanted to do during our visit. These are some activities I came up with:
- Outdoor ice skating
- Hiking/sightseeing
- Looking at Christmas lights
- Volunteering at a soup kitchen
I LOVE outdoor ice skating. I have very fond memories of skating on this outdoor rink in Moncton, New Brunswick. My dad used to take me all the time in the winter! I used to be a figure skater, you know. ;)
This is what it looks like in the summer:
Hopefully we can rent some skates!
Tip #5: Make a POA (Plan Of Attack)!
I printed off a calendar and made an exercise POA. I will be doing a 6am workout at home on X-mas Eve (likely a 45 min treadmill hill workout + Whittle My Middle). We depart early afternoon for New Brunswick on X-mas Eve. On Christmas day, I thought ice skating with the family might be fun or an outdoor walk. On Saturday and Sunday I will try to make it to the local gym early in the morning and on Monday I might do 30-Day shred before we take off.
By making a POA, I am planning to succeed, not fail. :D
Tip #6: Pack Resistance Bands
My dad uses resistance bands religiously so I am going to ask him to give me a tutorial with them as I have never used them. He just raves about them. Maybe I will have to pick up some at some point. My dad always says how great they are for traveling because they are virtually weight-less and super easy to pack!
Tip #7: Involve the family
I will be dragging asking my family to workout with me. I find that often people are more than willing to join in if it is a group endeavor. They don’t want to be the odd man out and will usually come along. If they struggle I will bribe them with Glo Bars. ;)
Tip #8: Have a back-up plan!
If all else fails have a back-up plan. Maybe there is no DVD player to play your workout DVD. Or maybe you are snowed in and can’t get to the ice rink or out for a walk. What’s a healthy gal to do? I always have a back-up plan up my sleeve. I will be armed with Whittle My Middle and I won’t be afraid to use it! ;) I am going to try to do Whittle My Middle twice while away. My dad doesn’t have a stability ball, so I will just sub those exercises with other ones like reverse crunches (lifting legs up to a 90 degree angle).
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So there you have it! With a little planning, an active holiday is possible! It takes a bit of work, but I like knowing that I have an exercise P.O.A. Of course it isn’t fail proof, I actually have to DO the workouts, but I figure you guys will hold me accountable, right? ;)
I may miss a workout here and there while away and that is not a big deal or something that I will stress about. I also think it is very important to be flexible, especially when traveling. I just try to do my best and not stress about it! It will be interesting to see how my plan actually pans out.
What about you- do you ever make a POA for workouts while traveling? Do you stress about it much or just wing it?
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Thursday OSGMOM is coming to visit!!!!!!!!!! I’m so excited. I haven’t seen her since June!!! It also marks the last day of Whittle My Middle. Time goes by SO fast, I can’t believe it. I’m excited for my Before and After pics + measurements. I have been whittling all month. :)
{ 79 comments… read them below or add one }
I love holiday workouts! There’s nothing that makes me feel better than getting out for a nice outdoor run early on Christmas morning (it’s summer here) – there’s always something magical about it. I also take my joggers and workout clothes on every holiday I go on – even my honeymoon and my overseas trip to NZ with a group of friends. I just get up early and go for a run. There’s honestly no better way of exploring new places!
Lots of great ideas to include fitness during the holidays! Thanks so much :)
Thanks for posting this! This is EXACTLY what I needed. I’m going away for christmas and I was just starting to freak out about how I was going to fit in my regular exercise whilst away.
I will definitely be using your tips to help me keep it up :)
Thank you!
I usually stay home over the holidays, so I can still go to my gym and workout at home. Luckily, I manage to be consistent with my exercise routine.
If I do take a vacation, I try and walk as much as I can. I can really take in the scenery that way :)
Great tips, as always! This time of year is actually easier for working out here in Saudi because it is finally cool enough to work up a sweat outside, so walking, hiking, biking, it is all in the plans. Thanks!
I’ve signed up for several local races the next few weeks and am looking for one around my mom’s house for the weekend I’m home. I think it’s an awesome idea…I ALWAYS show up if I’ve PAID, I love running with big groups, there are always new courses and trails to discover, and my friends and family can come along!
Great post lady. I am always on the go being a Flight Attendant so I have to make sure I don’t fall off the wagon almost EVERY day. It gets tough but you have gotta want it, which I do. As for the resistance bands they are AWESOME. Great to pack when I holidays too. Gaiam have a great kit I bought from Target when I was stateside last year, including a DVD (do you have Target in Canada?) You have posted some great ideas here :)
no Target in CAD!..major TARGET envy here! And Trader Joe envy haha
Two more other similarities between us – my family is also from the maritimes! New Brunswick as well :) And I was a figure skater for about 15 years of my life! – seperated at birth? I THINK SO! :) hehe
Love ya!
you know I could ramble about this forever—but I wont :)
for me its about a few things:
*do I even wanna workout this trip? or is it a chance to get in some NEAT (nonex.activ.thermogenesis) and take some active rest and let my body HEAL!
*if I choose to workout then Im like you (great tips). the biggest thing for me is if Im bringing a new workout along (bands/dvd/WHATEVER) Im always sure to have ‘practiced’ with it first at home. That way when Im wiped at 7a but thats the only time I have to workout I dont ALSO need to figure out how to DO the workout—its already second nature.
ok
Ill save the rest :)
Exercise is the best way to cope with jetlag. On my last two trips to Asia a week ago and Australia over the summer, each morning I did 30-45 minutes to wake me up and also to not feel guilty about moderately splurging on things that are not available at home. ;) When the hotel gym was closed, I did jumping jacks, running in place, skipping, mixed with strength exercises.
In case you don’t have a DVD or anything, Women’s Health have great short workouts that you can do without weights.
Great post. I struggle with balancing workload and exercise, and then balancing vacation and exercise. I am definitely going to look into the option of gyms and workout DVDs (aaaaaaah — yet one more item for my to-do list!)
I always set my workout clothes out AND try to get it in first thing in the morning. That way I have no excuse!
Oftentimes when I go out of town for the holidays for a day or two I consider those days my “rest” days. If I’m gone for a longer period of time, I go to a local gym, or just take walks and stay active.
And I find as long as I have my holiday food in a moderate portion and stay active, the holiday’s won’t make or break me;)
Great tips :) What level of the shred do you do?
2 or 3 depending on my mood!
I enjoyed the tips…especially the one about looking for free gym passes. I’m going to try this when I visit my sister this Christmas!
When I’m traveling somewhere, I make sure I bring my running shoes! If I bring them, I have no excuse not to take them out for a run or walk. (This obviously doesn’t apply to people who live in areas with crazy winters!)
Great tips! I try and travel with a POA. I look for hotels with gyms and make sure to pack enough workout clothes. If I’m going somewhere I’ve been before and am familiar with and the weather is right, I will try to get in some outdoor runs.
The holidays are definitely a busy time, but it helps knowing I am getting a head start on all the people waiting to work out until after New Years!
Great tips!! Thanks for posting:)
This is a great post! I am definitely bookmarking it to use on my next travels (whether holiday or not!). I usually have a PoA but don’t follow it because I don’t want to ditch family. I have been getting much better at that though! The last time family visited I went on a 4-mile run, and then we went for a walk the next day. Better than nothing!
Hi Angela! I’ve just recently stumbled upon your blogs and i Love it! I was so excited to find out u were from Canada and now the Maritimes!! whOoo (I’m from Nova Scotia) I’ve learned some great tips from you already and have tried out a few things! Thanks so much I can’t wait to keep reading everything and try out some more stuff : )
shout out to a maritimer! hehehe
Great tips. I always have a gym bag in the car and plenty of stuff to do at home, but I often run out of time, all year, the holidays are actually less busy for me since I teach so I get vacation here. I probably work out more consistently during this time than any other.
Thanks for the tips Angela! I’ll be heading home to Moncton this Christmas too! My mom is planning to take my sister and I to her gym while we’re home…maybe I’ll see you there! :)
Safe travels,
Leigh
maybe a moncton meet up is in store???
I like to be at least as active on vacation as I’m at home. Most of our trips involve visiting family in San Diego, and if we are there, we do lots of outdoor activities, so I usually get enough of a workout. Plus, our relatives live in a community with a gym, so it’s easy to get in some workouts. When we go anywhere else, I like to plan like you do. Great tips!
And I agree, I think staying active is more important this time of year than any other time. It affects my mood, my energy level, and my food choices! :)
San Diego is COLD and rainy right now! Relatively speaking, of course…my workout schedule is all off because I can’t bear to leave my warm bed until the last minute in the mornings, so I’ve been going to the gym after work which I hate! Haha we’re such babies around here, weather-wise.
Great tips :-) I love making POAs, even if they’re just “walking – window shopping” when traveling, or planning early morning runs on the days I leave town, and mini-strength routines for when I am away.
I don’t stress about it too much while on vacation. Luckily, all of my family eats healthfully, so it’s never hard to find fruit in any house we go to. My aunt and uncle have an eliptical and bike, so unless my brother and cousin are sleeping down in the basement, I usually get down there before everyone wakes up and do 45 minutes on one of those. I also make sure I stretch and do a lot of crunches a lot more than normal! If we visit my grandparents, its a lot of sitting (since they are becoming less mobile). By working out in the mornings prior to visiting with them, it helps to keep my focus on them and not on needing to move around. :)
To be honest … I don’t work out when I am on a trip/ vacation. I think taking a week off won’t hurt in the long run, and sometimes I need that break.
I’m not traveling anywhere for Christmas… I want a white Christmas! No fair! =]
Your POA is a great idea and once it’s in writing…it’s a legal-binding contract! I accompany my husband on his frequent business trips so hotel gyms are my friend. Something that I have learned throughout my life is to take one week off a year from all exercise. I usually do this when we are on a trip and business functions are non-stop. Over the years I have (finally!) learned to allow my body to rest. After a week off (except stretching exercises) I am more aware of my body’s needs. Exercise is my elixir of life and I love how it makes me feel glow-y. Merry Christmas!
I agree…I took 2 weeks or more off exercise entirely after my second half marathon. It was kind of nice as I had never done that before!
I never leave the house with sneakers, workout dvds, and magazine workouts in tow.
Great post, especially as I’m about to leave and do some traveling. My bag is packed with sneakers & workout clothes, our hotel has a gym and we are going to be right next to Central Park in NYC!
have fun!
Fabulous post! Being prepared will definitely keep you on track.
I miss the posts where you included the foods/beverages you consumed throughout the day ):
Have fun in NB!
It was funny to see you talk about Moncton because all of my step-family is from New Brunswick (St Anne) and I have been to Moncton before. I think there was a water park there?
Great tips! When I’m traveling, I make sure to plan some activities that involve some form of exercise (even if it’s just taking a long walk on the beach!).
If you are a runner, sign up for a local race. The RR has resolution runs on either Dec 31 or Jan 1 and they are a ton of fun. I am doing a 10miler/16km on Dec 26th so I have no excuse but keep on track…though many at the Boxing Day race complain at the start line of eating too much!
If you have a neighborhood with tons of lights, that is a fun way to get out for a walk either post dinner or before hand. Ontario has a lot of great hiking trails that even make me like the snow…
Such great ideas! Thank you! For the holidays, I’m going to DC to visit my bf’s family and then to St. Louis to visit some of my family. When I’m in St. Louis I plan to power walk with my mom every morning. She loves it and so do I. It’s our time to talk a mile a minute while our heart beat is high! I also plan on running and doing the 30-Day Shred as well. Another idea is (if you have Netflix) to bring your computer and do some of the work out videos on there too. I love it! Thanks again.
I’m pretty sure my bf would volunteer us to cat sit . . . he just came out of the closet at work about how obsessed he is with sketchie. Even his boss has read sketchie’s blog.
HAHAHAHAHA
Don’t forget Valslides!!They are a great workout tools:-) cc
I want to try it!
Paperplates work just as well as the Valslides, for a easy alternative :)
Resistance bands are best because they pack so easily and are so light that you can take them everywhere!
Great post and the park looks so cool!…no pun intended..lol! have fun and enjoy!
Thanks for the tips! They are always so helpful!
Great ideas and tips. Hubby and I will be in Jamaica over the holidays and do plan on working out as usual but really no POA so we’ll wing it. Probably will work out to be even more than normal because the resort has a huge sports complex and we’ll try to take their spin classes a few days and use the elliptical in the mornings. Plus we’ll do things we don’t usually do like play tennis, snorkel, swim, walk the beach, etc. So excited!
I am going to throw one of my resistance bands in my suitcase but I’m sure they have them there. Next Thurs. will be Day 30 for me on your Whittle My Middle challenge. It’s been fun!
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