Working out during the Holiday is more important than any other time of year.
During the holidays, it’s tempting to throw your workouts by the wayside with the promise to start again after the New Year. Research shows that when regular exercise stops, de-training occurs within a couple weeks, and that makes it harder to get started again. It’s better to do maintenance workouts than it is to stop altogether and lose what you’ve worked so hard to gain. We can do this by cutting back one workout a week, maintaining the momentum of your regular exercise routine is much easier than stopping and trying to re-establish it again later.
Exercise can also be a valuable tool to get you through the challenges of the holiday season. Here are 4 reasons why you should give yourself the gift of regular exercise, and why during this time of year it is even more important.
Holiday Weight Gain
The holidays come with a high-risk time of gaining weight. The average American gains 12 lbs. from November 1st to January 1st. That is a scary AND conservative number. CrossFit can combat this risk by burning calories and by maintaining muscle mass with strength training. This combination sustains metabolic rate and promotes fat loss.
Holiday Stress
Shopping, increased food preparation, frequent visitors, and managing finances all lead to increased stress. Exercise promotes the release of hormones that improve mood and reduce feelings of anxiety.
Seasonal Depression
As we approach the winter solstice, the season chips away at our daylight hours. For many people, this can lead to varying degrees of seasonal depression. Exercise can reduce symptoms of depression and elevate mood. Performing an outdoor WOD’s during the daylight hours provides additional benefits by increasing sunlight exposure.
Exercise Provides Structure
One of the main culprits associated with stress, depression, and weight gain is a reduction in structure within daily routines. Maintaining your exercise schedule provides structure to your day. The routine will help you stay on track with food intake, aid in maintenance of sleep schedules, and provide a framework so you can prioritize the demands of the holiday season.
In closing, make sure to keep your workouts going through the holiday season. You will be in a much better place come the 1st of the year. You will feel better about yourself and will not have to work too hard to get back to your normal non-holiday self.
Keep it at CFP.
