Adding Exercise to Your Holiday Plans

By Brandi Swieter

Too many people use the holidays as an excuse to avoid exercising. They overstuff their stomachs with unhealthy foods, spends hours on the couch binge-watching television shows, and spend time drinking with family and friends at holiday parties. While all of this is fine in moderation, some exercise should really get added to the mix to keep people as healthy as possible. There are fun ways to do so that won’t make people feel like they’re having to spend their holiday season working out.

Sledding

Going sledding is a favorite pastime for many. If there isn’t much snow in the area, this may be hard to do, but not everyone stays at home for the holidays. Visit a family member who lives in a snowy state or go on a family vacation instead of worrying about buying gifts. It will make for a fun time that gets the body moving and blood flowing.

Skiing

Skiing is another common sport that people enjoy during the winter months. Whether there is a resort that offers skiing nearby or a trip needs to get planned to another location, skiing can be a fun way to incorporate some exercise during the season. It takes a lot of effort, especially for beginners, but there are beginner’s courses people can take so they don’t have to overexert themselves on difficult runs.

Swimming

It may seem strange to see swimming on the list, but the activity is quite enjoyable during the colder season. Find an indoor pool, whether it be at a hotel or a local fitness center, and get some swim time in over the holidays. It’s a great way to exercise without having to overdo it or feel like there’s a lot of work involved. It can be a fun day spent with family. Many places keep the temperature high during the colder months so people don’t have to freeze when getting out of the water.

Exercising is necessary for those who want to keep their bodies in shape. It’s easy to forget about during the holiday months, but at least some form of exercise should get done to help combat all the eating and sitting around that gets done. There are fun alternatives like swimming, sledding, and skiing that will feel more like family fun and less like working out that makes it more bearable.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Wilmington, N.C.