Oh my gosh, I am thrilled y’all loved the kid’s Teen Gift Guides yesterday! For some reason, men and teens are the hardest for me to shop for, too, so I always appreciate new ideas. And speaking of men, Mr. SP will be sharing his top picks tomorrow!
Today we’re taking a break from gifting, and talking fitness! Staying healthy during the holidays is always a challenge. With all the busyness and tempting treats, staying active tends to get tossed to the wayside. Not to mention, shorter days make staying in a much cozier option than getting up and working out.
But even if our schedules are jam-packed, it doesn’t mean we should give up working out altogether. In fact, staying active (at least 30 minutes each day) can increase your energy levels, reduce stress and tension, and of course, help mitigate the extra calories brought on by excessive batches of Christmas Crack! (Warning: do not click that link if you have a weakness for sweet and salty!)
On me: Dynamic Movement Hoodie (on sale!) | Align Leggings | Similar Pom Pom Beanie
On Mr. SP: City Sweat Full Zip Hoodie (on sale!) | Surge Jogger
On me: Dynamic Movement Hoodie (on sale!) | Align Leggings | Similar Pom Pom Beanie
On Mr. SP: City Sweat Full Zip Hoodie (on sale!) | Surge Jogger
10 Tips for Staying Active During the Holidays
1. Get the Whole Family Involved.
One of the best ways to keep moving during the holidays is to involve the whole family in your activities. Instead of heading to the couch to pass out in a food coma, gather everyone and head to the yard or park to play touch football, capture the flag, basketball, or hide and seek for the little ones.
2. Opt for a Walk.
It doesn’t have to be a major sweat session to count… even small walks throughout the day add up. It’s also a low-impact exercise that offers limited strain, making it another great activity for everyone in the family. After every meal, encourage a 30-minute stroll around the neighborhood.
On me: Dynamic Movement Hoodie (on sale!) | Similar Pom Pom Beanie
On Mr. SP: City Sweat Full Zip Hoodie (on sale!)
3. Plan Ahead.
Try to plan workouts ahead of time and put them on your calendar. By taking the time to plan ahead, you are making a commitment to your wellbeing, making it much more likely that you will follow through.
4. Take Advantage of Small Blocks of Time.
Do a 10-minute video between Zoom calls, practice yoga stretches while dinner is cooking… find small blocks of time throughout your day to fit in activity. It all adds up and makes a difference.
On me: Dynamic Movement Hoodie (on sale!) | Align Leggings
On Mr. SP: City Sweat Full Zip Hoodie (on sale!) | Surge Jogger
5. Everything in Moderation.
It’s common to go into the holiday season expecting the entire 1-2 months to be a wash. The key is to indulge for a day (or two or three), but not the entire season, ha! I usually know the meals I’ll be over-indulging, and focus on healthier food choices during the other times. Plus, a stuffed belly can zap the motivation to exercise!
6. Get Sneaky.
With a mile-long list of gifts and other festive items to buy, it’s easy to turn your shopping trip into an opportunity to get physical. Park in the farthest parking lot so that you have further to walk, or deliver cookies to neighbors on foot rather than driving. Look for ways to sneak in extra bouts of movement wherever possible.
On me: Dynamic Movement Hoodie (on sale!) | Align Leggings | Similar Pom Pom Beanie
On Mr. SP: City Sweat Full Zip Hoodie (on sale!) | Surge Jogger
Dynamic Movement Hoodie (on sale!) | Align Leggings | Similar Pom Pom Beanie
7. Use online resources.
One of the best things to come from 2020 is the plethora of online workouts!! Everything from dance cardio and weight-training to yoga and spinning… and most are either free or a nominal fee. And you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your home… just prop up your laptop and get after it.
8. Clean House.
Set aside several hours to thoroughly clean your house. Bending, squatting, sweeping, vacuuming, walking up and down stairs, and doing laundry are all great ways to sneak in a good workout. Raking the leaves and doing other yard work is also efficient in building muscle and breaking a sweat. Aside from burning calories, these activities will keep your home looking clean and tidy, which for me also alleviates stress.
9. Set up a family challenge.
Enough of us have smart phones and tracking devices that you can challenge family members (or friends) to a daily or weekly steps challenge. Sometimes the competitive nature of the event can be enough to make us do it. Set a fun prize for the winner and let the games begin!
On me: Dynamic Movement Hoodie (on sale!) | Align Leggings | Similar Pom Pom Beanie
On Mr. SP: City Sweat Full Zip Hoodie (on sale!) | Surge Jogger
10. Buy a cute outfit!
A fun new outfit is always motivation enough for me!! Give me a new pair of leopard leggings from lululemon, and I’m strapping on my sneakers and hitting the pavement! They’re literally like a second skin, but keep you covered and all tucked in!
Mr. SP has a pretty serious lululemon habit, but I can’t say I blame him. The fabrics and materials are so soft and comfortable, and hold up to even the sweatiest workouts. He’s a huge fan of the Surge Jogger for both exercising and casual streetwear, and I think half his closet is hoodies!
And if you don’t have a belt bag yet, add this one to your Christmas List! It’s adjustable for men and women, and keeps your phone, keys, and more safely tucked away without being a hindrance.
Fit Tip: I wear a size 4 in tops and leggings
On me: Dynamic Movement Hoodie (on sale!) | Align Leggings | Everywhere Belt Bag
On Mr. SP: City Sweat Full Zip Hoodie (on sale!) | Surge Jogger
Staying active during the holidays definitely takes more effort than at other times of the year, but when January rolls around, you’ll be so happy you did! Plus, the good thing about exercise is something, not matter how small, is always better than nothing!
If you’ve got workout warriors on your Christmas List, or just professional loungers, lululemon has a huge assortment of incredible gifts HERE. And I can assure you the men and teens love all things lulu, too! I’m so intrigued by The Mirror… have you seen it?!
*Photos by the darling and talented Audrie Dollins. This post is created in collaboration with lululemon and ShopStyle, but all product selections, opinions, and minimal willpower are my own. Thank you for supporting Hi Sugarplum sponsors!*
I have a Fitbit and I do 10,000+ steps per day. Yesterday it was 13,000. I live in an apartment building and I do 3000 steps before I get on the computer in the morning. Then it’s just a matter of taking a walk outdoors. Luckily I can walk to Target and the grocery store as well as around the neighborhood. Any time I go into a store, I try to do at least one lap of the store before I shop. Like you say, it all adds up!
Need more yoga stretches since my classes are all shut down…
That “lap around the store” trick is genius!!! Thanks for the tip, Patricia! Xo, Cassie
Can you share what sneakers you are wearing please?
Hi Terry! I’ve linked them below, looks like they’re on sale! xo, C
https://shopstyle.it/l/bprwm
Ah staying active during the winter months. These are great tips for more temperate places like Texas! In the great white north we have to be a little more creative. Especially if you’re like me and you don’t like cold weather (I know….what kind of Canadian am I?). So I’ve gotten myself a stationary stand for my bike and a couple dumbbells which I’ve set up on a mat in the basement (right in from of the TV so I can get some binging while staying active). Now I’ve also had the brilliant idea of adopting a puppy (we got her Saturday) so I thought, great, this will force me outside for daily walks. But missy also dislikes cold…….and requires to be held while we walk. And at 8 weeks old and already 15lbs……this either won’t last long or I’ll get a really good arm work out on every walk ;p
Oh gosh, Caroline!! Hey, the bright side is that you’re going to be very toned! Ha! Xo, C