Even the most dedicated fitness buff can be derailed by the holiday season. It can be tempting to just lie down your sofa and watch a couple of movies. After all, it’s time for you to take a break from your office responsibilities and braving busy streets right? It is the season for night-long parties and calorie packed dinners. You can always come up with an excuse not to exercise. But remember, it’s your hard earned physique that’s at risk.
The yuletide season does not have to sabotage your fitness regimen. With a little know-how and effort, you can still stay fit this holiday without the need to go outside your comfort zone. Here are some workout ideas for holiday season that you can do without leaving your condo premises.
Climb Your Way Up to Fitness
Most condominiums are sky high, and have elevators. But stairs are also present, though you don’t usually notice it. Take advantage of the stairs and use it to have a better holiday lifestyle. Warm up by walking up and down the stairs for around 5 to 6 steps for few minutes then jog for the same amount of time. Do skater steps as well by stepping your right foot on the right side of the stair and then do the same for your left foot. Stairs exercise is one of the most common no-gym workout and you won’t run out of ideas to try.
Lose Body Fat in the Pool
Use the best amenities in your condominium. Taking advantage of your condo’s swimming pool can help you stay fit without leaving the condo premises. According to WebMD.com, swimming is a low-impact exercise that puts minimal stress on the joints and a heart-pumping cardiovascular workout that builds endurance and helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Additionally, swimming engages multiple muscles such as biceps, triceps, back, chest, stomach and leg muscles all at the same time.
Hit the Core
This is the most important holiday fitness program for condo dwellers. Since your belly is going to take a lot of food, make sure you’re prepared for some abs and core workout. You can do this without leaving your pad. Lie down and do basic crunches, or try more advanced ways to tone your belly such as different variants of planks and lunges. There are a lot of at-home workout ideas for women and men targeting the core. Choose which one fits you.
Why Not Yoga?
Yoga is becoming more and more popular these days. You might even have attended a class or two. Why not do it at home to help you maintain your healthy lifestyle? There are a lot of guides on the internet. Or buy a book to make sure you are doing it safely and correctly. You can do this inside your flat or somewhere near the pool or activity area. All you need is a mat.
Lift Some Weights
Don’t limit the use of weights to improving your arm or shoulder muscles. A lot programs for other parts of your body such as your stomach and back are also present. Buy a pair of dumbbells and you’re all good. If you really have limited time, then go with a strap on wrist/ankle weights which you can wear while doing other activities.
Dance Your Way to a Sexy Body
Whether you love dancing or not, using it to stay fit is a must-try. A lot of health conscious people from all ages are trying Zumba. And you might want to follow the bandwagon. You can do it by yourself with the help of DVDs or YouTube guides. However, with the noise it’s making right now, Condo Homeowners Associations and the Property Management are also conducting this fun activity.
Like Bike?
Most condo communities have an abundant space for this type of activity. Bring out your long forgotten bicycle and take it for a ride. This helps you gently exercise your legs, hips and arms while being able to practice your breathing. This is a perfect warm up and cool down choice.
Gym Membership Within Your Reach
Almost all condominiums today have fitness gym facilities that you can use for free (you pay this on your Homeowners Association fees). You can take advantage of the facility and the help of an instructor without going out of your way to visit your old gym. Why go somewhere else if you can work out inside the community?
Get the Right Amount of Sleep
Weight loss is not just about working out or eating the right food. According to researchers at Brigham Young University, getting less than 6.5 or more than 8.5 hours of sleep was linked to higher body fat. Also, waking and going to bed at the same time every day, was strongly linked to lower body fat. Late night parties and gatherings are abundant this season, and since you don’t have to go to work, it’s also tempting to wake up late. Be sure you’re not getting off track.
Staying fit this Christmas season doesn’t necessarily mean you need to decline all the invitations you’d receive or stay away from foods that brings the holiday feeling. This is actually the time of the year that you should enjoy most with your family and loved ones. By following this condo fitness guide, you can do both simultaneously.
