Stay Active This Holiday Season: Easy Tips for Fitness Amid the Festivities

Oh, how the year flies by! The last three months are the most beautiful yet the busiest. One thing is certain: once the holidays arrive, there will be one big whirlwind of family and friend gatherings, work events, gift shopping, and cooking! Although this is an exciting season, taking care of yourself often gets on the back burner. Our goal this holiday season will be to maintain the habits we’ve established throughout the year while being flexible with this schedule change. 

 

It's about being creative and staying active, even if it doesn’t look the same as it usually does. Let’s start with the basics, shall we? 

 

Evening holiday walks

 

Yes, it is cold and dark outside… but this means you can enjoy the holiday décor outside. Bundle up and enjoy the bright colours and lights your neighbours have lit up. This gives you something to look forward to; the best part is that it counts as staying active! On those extra chilly evenings, bring a cup of hot cocoa to set the mood.

 

Schedule your workouts according to your events

 

With the increase in social gatherings, adding time for movement feels exhausting.  During the next while, plan your physical activity schedule according to your busy calendar.  Even if that looks like taking walks a couple of times a week, be accepting if you need to reduce the time you spend on training and focus on maintaining the consistency you’ve established. Health Canada recommends to complete at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per week. That goal isn’t too challenging if you split up this time throughout the week. You are surely able to stay on track this way! 

 

Nature walk

 

If you love autumn hikes, why not try a snowy walk? Montreal and the surrounding areas have beautiful parks to take in the quiet, snowy landscapes. So why not take advantage of this? Even if the trees are bare and everything is quiet, it’s a perfect time to reflect. Reflect on the year that has passed, what you’ve learned and all you aspire to be in the year ahead.  

 

Start a winter outdoor activity 

 

Embrace winter sports to stay active this season! Skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating are great ways to enjoy the outdoors while getting a full-body workout. Skiing engages your legs and core, while snowshoeing offers a full-body challenge as you trek through snowy trails. Both activities are fun, adventurous, and perfect for burning off holiday treats—all while taking in the beauty of winter. And don't forget, the fresh winter air and stunning snowy landscapes make these activities even more rewarding!

 

Cleaning the entirety of your home

 

This may not be the most exciting option; however, cleaning surprisingly involves a lot of movement. Use this as your opportunity to declutter, set up for the holidays, and throw away those old nick-nacks you’ve wanted to get rid of for years. Let’s make it fun: turn up the music or put on your favourite movie in the background. Before you know it, your home will feel clean, and you worked out at the same time! 

 

No matter what you decide to do, the goal is to maintain some form of movement until the holiday craziness dies down. Don’t be too hard on yourself; enjoy the holiday season and everything it has to offer. After all, this only comes around once a year, so make the most of it! Before you know it, 2025 will be here, and you’ll be back to regular programming.

 

Cheers to an amazing end to 2024, and I wish you all a recharged and exciting new year ahead!

 

Until next time, 

 

Tiffany