Maintaining Fitness Through the Holidays: Fun and Festive Outdoor Exercise Ideas
The holiday season can be filled with joy, celebration, and many delicious treats. For some, this season might include cuddling up in front of the fireplace, getting together with your family for a film night or some long conversations over a board game. And this usually means staying inside for a long time.
While it's tempting to indulge and take a break from your fitness routine, staying active during this time can help you maintain your health and mental well-being. So we wanted to share with you some fun and festive outdoor exercise ideas to help you stay active and fit throughout the holiday season!
Festive Walks or Runs
There are a lot of ways to enjoy the festivities outdoors. You can embrace the holiday spirit by going for festive walks or runs in your neighbourhood or local parks. When you are walking and running you can enjoy the twinkling lights, holiday decorations, and cheerful ambience while getting your heart rate up. And it's a really easy activity to do, no matter where you are spending your holiday: all you need is a pair of good walking/running shoes and the appropriate layers and you're good to go! You can even organize a holiday-themed fun run with friends or family to make it even more enjoyable. You can consider adding a festive piece to your outfit such as a Santa hat and you are almost guaranteed to share a little holiday cheer with the people you will pass on your way.
Outdoor Ice Skating
During the winter season, there is often a lot of outdoor ice skating rings popping up all over. Especially in December month and you can take advantage of the winter weather and hit the ice rink for some outdoor ice skating. Like this you can also enjoy the crispy and fresh air while moving around. As ice skating is relatively easy to learn it is also an activity almost everyone can join in on. Even if you bring someone who feels like Bambi on ice, by helping each other either with some encouraging words or a helping hand, you can also feel more connected in a new way. It's a fantastic way to engage your core muscles, improve balance, and enjoy a festive activity. Look for local outdoor ice rinks that pop up during the holiday season, and have fun gliding on the ice.
Holiday Scavenger Hunts
Scavenger hunts are usually great fun and a great way to include everyone of all ages in an activity together. Create a holiday-themed scavenger hunt that involves walking or biking around your neighbourhood or local park. For example, you can make a list of festive items or landmarks to find, and enjoy the adventure of searching for while staying active. If you want to make things a little more complicated but social, you can also send everyone around the neighbourhood to different friends’ houses to get the clues. A scavenger hunt is a great way to explore your surroundings, be outside and get in some exercise.
Sledging or Snowshoeing
If you're fortunate enough to have snow during the holidays, take advantage of it by going sledging or snowshoeing! It is usually great fun to have an excuse to play around in the snow, and sledging or snowshoeing can quickly get your heart rate up. Especially if you are bringing kids who'd want to be dragged back and forth on the sleighs. Both activities provide excellent cardiovascular exercise while allowing you to embrace the winter wonderland. Invite friends or family to join you for a fun-filled day in the snow.
The holiday season doesn't have to derail your fitness goals. But by incorporating fun and festive outdoor exercise ideas into your routine, you can stay active, energized, and maintain your fitness throughout the holidays. We hope you now feel like there are plenty of options to keep you moving and engaged during this season. Embrace the joy of Christmas while taking care of your well-being. Stay active, have fun, and make unforgettable holiday memories!