Monday, December 16, 2019 7 ways to stay fit during Winter Break
It’s easy to stay active and on your feet during the semester—your days are scheduled, intramural sports are happening, and Campus Recreation offers fitness classes and endless opportunities for exercise. However, over the long holiday breaks it can be all too easy to fall into a trap of sitting warm at home, away from on-campus recreation amenities, and snacking on sweets to your heart’s content. Here are seven ways to ensure you stay fit while away for the holidays.
Find a friend
Chances are, old friends also will be headed home and looking for a chance to reconnect. Instead of hosting an indoor movie marathon, try building an exercise schedule. It’s easier to stay motivated with an accountability partner, and you can keep each other on track.
Exercise at home
It’s a given that you’ll spend at a good chunk of break catching up on shows you’ve missed during school, or inside avoiding subzero temperatures, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice exercising. YouTube is a great resource to find quick at-home HIIT workouts that don’t require fancy equipment, but still work up a sweat. Even something as simple as step-ups on the stairs is suited to get your heart rate up. You also can exercise quickly during commercials or ads on TV.
View over 500 YouTube workout videos of varying lengths and intensity.
View exercises to do during commercial breaks.
Walk or run in a local 5k
Training for a race is a perfect motivator for anyone seeking a longer-term fitness goal. To prepare for the event, try making and keeping a training schedule. This will provide guidance and motivation to keep you moving.
Take advantage of seasonal activities in your area
If you’re headed back to a hometown that features a different landscape from Lincoln, that’s a perfect opportunity to try out some wintertime outdoor sports. This can include hiking, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, or sledding. Ice skating is another good option in flat locations or urban areas.
Count your steps
There is an abundance of step-counting devices like Fitbits, Apple Watches, and phone apps to track your movement each day. Try to aim for 10,000 steps every day, and track your progress as the day moves along to keep you on your feet.
Head outside for a brisk walk
Go outside for brief 20- to 30-minute walk. Head around your neighborhood, to a nearby park, or even around the block. Just getting some fresh air for a few minutes can do wonders for your mood and joints, and you can enjoy some winter scenery along the way.
Get plenty of sleep
There are many aspects to well-being besides just physical activity. Staying rested is just as important to your health as exercise in keeping yourself fit. Just remember, everything works best in moderation, so don’t go too overboard on midday naps.