Burn Extra Calories this Holiday Season
November 25, 2022
We can all be realistic about the fact that we consume more calories during the Holidays. No matter how much we try to overcome all the temptation, it is nearly impossible. For me, it is impossible!
A realistic goal through the holidays is to maintain your weight. Consuming extra calories means you need to burn more calories. Here are some tips on ways to increase your calorie burn this season.
Don’t cancel your workout! You must make your workouts a priority. This time of year can be very stressful and busy. But you must find a way to prioritize your workouts and schedule everything else around that. You should be scheduling at least three 45-minute workouts per week.
- Move for 8 minutes every couple of hours. This is a hard habit to get into but give it an honest try. Set a reminder on your phone if you need to. Here are some ideas of different bodyweight movements you can do. Just be sure to move your whole body and exert yourself. If you do these movements for 8 minutes at a time, just four times a day, you can burn an additional 500-600 calories per week.
- March in place or do high knee marches
- Bodyweight squats
- Air boxing
- Planks with punches
- Planks with knee tucks
- Stair climbs
- Lateral shuffles
- Do a 20-minute walk at least five evenings a week. Everyone has 20 minutes in the evening they can spare. It is very possible that you can learn to love your cold winter walks in the evenings too! But walking for 20 minutes, 5 days a week can burn an additional 450- 550 calories per week.
- Combining the three suggestions above should result in 1300- 1700 calories burned per week! Along with increasing your calorie burn, be mindful of making healthier choices between holiday meals. Knowing you have days you will indulge on holiday goodies should motivate you to stay in control and eat lighter between those days.
- Being surrounded by all the temptation doesn’t mean you should just give up on the exercise and go all in on the junk! You got this! If you need help avoiding weight gain this Holiday season, Axio Fitness trainers and dietitians can help!
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Feeling the pressure of the crazy, expensive holiday season? It seems counterintuitive to add a personal trainer to your budget now, but this is precisely the best time to invest in one! Why? The holidays are a perfect storm of stress, endless obligations, and rich food, making consistency nearly impossible. A personal trainer is your ultimate accountability partner. They ensure your fitness doesn't fall off the cliff before January 1st. Your trainer will design quick, efficient workouts that maximize your limited time so you can still fit in shopping and parties. They'll also help you set realistic goals—like maintaining your weight or fitness level through the Holidays, not losing 10 pounds—which drastically reduces stress and guilt. Don't wait for the crowded New Year's rush. By starting now, you'll enter January with momentum and confidence. Treat your health as a priority this season; it's one investment that truly pays off.
Before the turkey coma sets in and the pumpkin pie beckons, give thanks to your body with a quick, metabolism-boosting workout! Thanksgiving morning is the perfect time for a “Pre-Feast Fire-Up”, ensuring you start the day feeling strong and energized—no gym or equipment needed. Here is a 20-minute AMRAP (As Many Rounds as Possible) circuit right in your living room. The goal is simple: maximize intensity in a short time to ignite your fat-burning furnace. The Circuit (Complete 1 round, rest 60 seconds, repeat for 20 minutes): 10 Squat Jumps:** Explode up for power. 10 Push-Ups:** Modify on your knees if needed. 20 Mountain Climbers:** Keep that core tight and back flat. 10 Burpees:** The ultimate total-body finisher! This high-intensity session will boost your endorphins and metabolic rate, leaving you feeling accomplished before the first guest arrives. Don't let the holiday disrupt your fitness—use it as a reason to move! Do you need a plan to stay accountable this holiday season? Contact us to learn about how we help our clients meet and achieve their fitness goals.
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