Holiday commercials are already flooding the televisions and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Before your social calendar fills up with holiday events, schedule your workouts at FitClub to ensure you stay healthy and sane all holiday season long. Having trouble prioritizing your workouts over family obligations and social events? FitClub has five reasons your workout has a place in your holiday traditions.
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Endorphins combat holiday stress. For some, it’s the most wonderful time of year, but the holiday season can also cause increased stress. Whether it’s the expense of buying gifts or hosting holiday celebrations or the lack of downtime that causes your stress level to rise, fitting in your workout ensures that you can manage and reduce your stress. According to Mayo Clinic, almost any form of exercise will release endorphins needed to combat stress and clear your mind. If you have a favorite exercise that always leaves you feeling accomplished and happier, this is the perfect time of year to make it a priority every day.
A hard workout means more creative gifts under the tree. Exercise boosts creativity, so if you’re stuck on what to buy for the people on your shopping list, don’t over think it. Instead, get into FitClub for a workout and see if a burst of creativity leads you to a better gift idea. Research suggests that exercise can increase creativity, particularly the ability to think of “multiple solutions” for a problem. In other words, instead of having no ideas for the difficult to shop for family member on your list, you may have several creative ideas this year if you fit in a workout.
A routine combats holiday weight gain. On average, Americans gain only one pound during the holiday season. The problem is that sedentary people don’t lose that pound after the holidays are over and the annual weight gain adds up. While indulgences are part of the holiday traditions for most, making sure you burn calories before you indulge not only counteracts smaller indulgences, but it also sets you in the right frame of mind to make healthy decisions even at holiday parties. When the holidays are over, your mind and body will be in peak fitness form and ready to get back on track.
You maintain momentum. An extended break from your FitClub routine will have a negative impact on the endurance and strength you’ve been working hard to build. Even if you can’t commit to long workouts, make sure you are fitting in as much cardio and strength training as you can manage to maintain the momentum you’ve started to build and keep the healthy habits you’ve developed.
If you need a break this holiday season, FitClub is the perfect, healthy, justifiable place to hide. After you’ve finished your workout, you can take a short soak in the hot tub or sauna, get a massage, or stretch out your tired muscles. No one needs to know that you spent an extra twenty minutes or more relaxing when you finished your workout. Consider the personal time and enhanced peace of mind your holiday gift to yourself.
Are you planning to make your workouts a priority this holiday season? What tips are you using to ensure that you make time for yourself?
