How do you consistently stick to your fitness routine for an entire year?
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“Yes, it’s easy to forget about your regular fitness routine during the holidays. But staying active is critical to managing diabetes. Regular exercise can lower blood sugar levels and improve the body’s utilization of insulin.” So says Erin Palinski-Wade, a nutritionist, diabetes education specialist and personal fitness trainer.
Try these tips to help yourself stick to your exercise program.
- Shopping on foot Spending hours at the mall? Then do both shopping and fitness in one fell swoop with short bursts of exercise. “Take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk briskly from store to store or do arm curls using shopping bags, and wear a pedometer and set a step goal for your shopping trip.” Palinski-Wade said.
- Food-free party events “Don’t let food be the focus of a holiday event.” Palinski-Wade says. Choose celebrations that don’t focus on food and that allow you to move.
- Rather than sitting through a bunch of holiday decorations for dinner, celebrate with a leisurely activity like skiing or riding or choose something healthy to balance out your big meal. If families typically get together for a big meal during the holidays, take time before or after the get-together to get out and about together.
- Get outside to celebrate and let the holidays inspire you. Love the holiday lights? Then take a stroll through a well-lit and decorated neighborhood, or hike on an icy trail or try cross-country skiing. It’s also nice to listen to upbeat holiday music while you’re skating.
- Get organized Book a time slot for exercise each day and mark that time on your calendar. Schedule your own shopping or social activities outside of your workout. Once you’ve made a firm commitment to your workout, you’re less likely to put it off on short notice.
- Try something new The holidays are completely different from everyday life, and workout plans need to be adjusted accordingly. Instead of following your own exercise routine, add in some new exercises. When shopping for gifts for friends, pick up a fitness DVD for yourself or download a fitness app on your smartphone. Also, try yoga or Tai Chi. A new exercise can challenge your body and energize you.
- Drop the perfectionism If you don’t have time for a full workout, don’t put all the exercises together and do only what you can do. It might be the first 10 minutes of your own fitness routine, or it might be a short walk.
- Walk to the party: Make walking your main exercise, Palinski-Wade says: “Get a simple, inexpensive pedometer and take as many steps as you can. You can set a goal of 10,000 steps a day. After you’ve done all your shopping and socializing, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you reach your goal.”
About fitness
- Exercise helps lower your own blood sugar levels.
- Staying active burns calories, which can offset the extra calories from a potluck meal.
- Fitness can boost your energy, improve your mood and help reduce the stress of the holidays.
- Fitness also brings the opportunity to connect with friends or make new ones. You can meet up with others for a workout, and it’s easier to stick to the plan if you have a friend waiting.