Seven tips to keep from turning into holiday ham this year
By Brendan Jamiel
Hang the lights, call your mother, and don’t forget the gravy! Sure you can blame the turkey for the unplanned nap or the pie for a few extra pounds, but the solution to holiday madness lies within you. What can you do for yourself this holiday season? What can be done to combat the holiday chaos this year? Lets face it, the holiday season can make you crazy!
While you’re gifting the people you love, consider giving yourself the most precious gift of all: good health. It’s so easy to make excuses for not visiting the gym this time of year. Lack of time, social commitments or just too much to do. It all contributes to the mental barriers that keep us from maintaining our fitness schedule. Do not forget that exercise can help relieve holiday stress, elevate mood and improve your sex life – something we can benefit from all year round.
Buy a new workout outfit. Not only is it fun to shop for something new, it will get you excited to get in the gym.
Find a new fitness class to spice things up this holiday season. Clubs like 24-Hour Fitness offer classes around the clock, or check out Pura Vida in Cherry Creek. Also consider local boot camps such as Joe’s Boot Camp at Red Rocks.
Switch up your routine. We have all heard of the P90x muscle confusion philosophy. There is nothing revolutionary about it. You need to keep your body guessing to get the best results.
Alternate upper body and lower body exercises. This will keep your heart rate up and add an extra punch to your workouts.
Combine cardio with resistance training. Start with 10 minutes cardio, then perform one set of 12 reps for each exercise with moderately heavy weight: bench press, leg extension, leg curl, lat pull-down, 10 minutes cardio, shoulder press, bicep curl, ab crunch, back extension, 10 minutes cardio.
Prevent burn out. Start slow! I’ve seen many people take on too much too quickly. If you continue to overload your body without proper rest you increase the risk of injury. Rest is just as important as stimulating your muscles!
Watch out for holiday drinks. When you are working out it’s so important to get proper rest and often alcohol can contribute to missing a workout. My suggestion is to plan your workouts around the holiday party. If you know you will be drinking and you expect to feel hung over the next day, it would probably be best to plan an extra day of rest before you work out again.
Hire a trainer if you really want to make great strides this holiday season. We are trained to get you the results safely and effectively.
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Contact Brendan for a complimentary session at (720) 989.8201 to take back your life and control of your body.
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