As the weather changes, obligations pile up, and before you know it your
fitness aspirations have fallen to pieces—much like snowflakes falling
from the sky!
Since the holiday season can throw so many curve balls—like good
ol’ Wyoming weather, cheese, popcorn, pie, parties, you name it—at
your exercise routine, take some time to be prepared to manage your health
intentionally and with more purpose than you would the rest of the year.
Check out these six tips to help you arrive on January 31 with your health
intact and ready to take on the rest of the year!
Make a Plan: Each week, plan out when you will squeeze in your activity, remembering
that every little bit counts, (even if it’s just 10 minutes). Choose
the days and time of day that will work best for you, and make them a
priority. To help make it happen, try scheduling your workout sessions
into your calendar, just like you would your dental visits or meetings,
and don’t skip out. A good workout is vital to both your physical
and mental wellbeing, and just as essential as other obligations.
Consider Starting Earlier: Think about the best time of the day to exercise for you. If you are a
morning person, go first thing in the day and get it done. You can even
sleep in all, or some of your workout clothes. All you will need are your
shoes when your feet hit the floor, and you will be on your way out the
door. Not a morning person? Consider heading to work a bit earlier so
that you can go exercise on your lunch or directly after work. Set yourself
up for success by scheduling the best time possible for activity.
Commit to a Class or a Gym: Financial obligations can often be very motivational, especially during
the holiday season when your money needs to go just a bit farther. If
you pay in advance for a gym membership or that class that you want to
try, you will be more likely to attend and stick with it! This time of
year, you can often join an accountability group—look for a “maintain,
don’t gain” themed program that is aimed at maintaining your
healthy habits over an eight- to 12-week period.
Pack Ahead: Have a gym bag packed and ready to go. If you have everything you need
in a bag, you will eliminate excuses and barriers to activity. You will
also find that if you don’t head home, you won’t be tempted
to stay there and hibernate through the coldest days of the year. If you
aren’t feeling like working out, or are even under the weather,
remember that every move counts. Odds are good that once you start moving,
you will begin to feel better. Gentle activity is always reasonable! Yoga
is much friendlier to a cold than running or intense cardio.
Dress for Success: Make sure you have the proper clothing. It doesn’t make sense to
go bowling in high heels, and going to the gym without the right gear
isn’t all that smart either. Be sure you have shoes that fit well
and support the activity you enjoy doing. Your back, and feet especially
will thank you later. Your fitness clothing should be comfortable and
allow you to maintain a reasonable temperature. You don’t need to
spend a lot on great gear. In our area, Walmart has a large selection.
We all know blisters and legs rubbed raw are a large speed bump on the
road to fitness success.
Use Technology: To stay on track, use the technology you already have available. Set reminders
on your phone or in your calendar that will send you on your way to your
workout. These reminders can even prompt you to get up and move more often
though the day. Try out some fitness tracker software (that is likely
already installed) on your phone or tablet—such as nikefit, SHealth, or
MyFitnessPal. Link the software to your
Fitbit or other device and allow the accountability to begin! If you don’t
have a tracking device, consider purchasing one. Refurbished or used options
are sometimes a cheap way to get one for yourself. Often, “seeing
is believing” and using fitness trackers can encourage you to work
out regularly and also feel obligated to maintain your healthy, reasonable
nutrition. What better time than the holidays to be accountable?
Have Questions?
Campbell County Health
Wellness works to reduce health risks and promote overall wellness among employee
groups and individuals across the northeastern Wyoming region. To learn
more about Wellness, please visit
www.cchwyo.org/Wellness or call 307.688.8051.
This blog was written by Rachel Wilde CPT, MA, CCH Wellness Services Technician
and Phlebotomist