I don’t have time to workout.

I make time.

I know, I know… easier said than done.  But it CAN be done!

Today’s Work It Out is about beating our holiday excuses.  We all make them.  Some of them are even legitimate! During the holidays we’re traveling, over-committed, and exhausted.

Yesterday on Facebook I asked you guys for some of the excuses you have for not working out over the holidays.

Do any of these sound familiar?

“I don’t have time to workout.”

“I feel selfish taking time away from my family to go to the gym.”

“I’m too tired!”

“It’s too cold to go outside.”

“I don’t have access to a gym/weights while traveling.”

Today let’s think of ways around these barriers.

No time?

Make it a habit!  If you haven’t gotten to that point yet, start by taking some steps to plan.  I schedule the time with myself on my calendar, and I have my gym clothes in the car so I can go on my way home from work.  If things are TOO hectic, I squeeze in what I can, when I can.  Do you have 10 minutes in the morning? Do a quick rotation of jumping jacks, planks, burpees, and push-ups in your living room.  Only have 20 minutes at lunch?  Go for a brisk walk!

Feeling selfish?

#1 DON’T!  Your family is better off in the long run when you are healthy and happy.  Personally, if I don’t get to move a little bit each day (and take a little break from the relatives), I’m not as pleasant to be around.

#2 Turn exercise into a family activity.  Suggest a walk or a game of touch football after one of the many holiday meals I’m sure you’ll have.  Bring a workout video to share.  One of the best times we had last year was when my mom and sister and I all tried to do P90X Plyo together.  The laughter alone was a calorie burner!

Too tired?

I know you don’t want to hear this… but exercise actually energizes you AND improves sleep quality at night.  Instead of dropping to the couch after a long day, put on y our gym clothes before you even sit down.  Half of the battle is getting dressed!  If that’s not enough to motivate, make a date with a friend to talk a walk or sign up for a class.  If you already spent $50 on that month of Body Pump classes, you’re more included to actually go.

Too cold (or hot)?

I get it.  I hate cold weather.  When I ran regularly, I always took the coldest months off.  This is the time to dust of your P90x/Jillian Michaels/Yoga for Dummies DVDs.  Your living room is warm.  Exercise there!  Or take advantage of all of those “one week free!” fliers.  I’m willing to bet you could gym-hop for at least a month. 🙂

Same goes for the heat.  Modify your workout and move to where the A/C is blasting!

No equipment?

Again, you can bust out your old DVDs.  Another idea involves Pinterest.  I love taking these “pinned” workouts and doing a few rounds at home.

A few of my favorites:

(Click images for sources.)

 

 

 

 

 

These best part is that these can all be adjusted based on the amount of time you have and your physical limitations (Bad knees?  Do wall sits instead of squats.)  They can also be done indoors, so you avoid the cold.  AND you can get the family to join in, eliminating the selfish-feeling factor.

So what was your excuse again?

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One more Kitchen Workout check-in before the holidays!

I once again did well during the week and succumbed to sugar over the weekend.  There was a cookie swap party.  This happened:

Keeping it real.

BUT this kitchen workout is about doing what’s right for YOU.  I know myself.  If I’d sat at home or gone and watched everyone else eat cookies, I would have been annoyed and then (more than likely) done worse damage later.  So I ate cookies.  They were delicious.  So there.

As I go into and even bigger holiday-part week, I’m keeping these tips in mind.  I’m not going to splurge on the store-bought party things, but when something is “worth it” (for me that means chocolate and homemade) I’m not going to feel deprived.

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In other news, I have only completed my Christmas shopping for 1 person.  Oy.  Power walking through the mall in a panicked state is great exercise!

Did anyone try last week’s Gun Show workout?  What did you think?

What are some of your excuses?  Any of these sound familiar?