Tis’ the season for family fitness

Leatta Byrd, Michigan State University Extension -

Kick start a fitness routine this holiday season.

The holiday season is getting into high gear. Families are busy planning get-togethers, parties, dinners and shopping. It is easy to overeat and binge on your favorite holiday foods, watch TV, sports and become a couch potato, especially if the weather is cold and snowy. Physical activity and fitness tend to get stored away in the closet behind all those holiday gifts. Michigan State University Extension recommends that families include physical activity when adopting a healthy lifestyle.

The holiday season can be a perfect time to take advantage of your vacation and plan time for exercise. It is recommended that adults work out at least 30 minutes, three times per week and youth engage in physical activity 60 minutes daily.

Tips for holiday fitness:

  1. If you’re traveling for the holidays and staying at a hotel, try and book a hotel that has a workout room and/or pool. Having hotel amenities like these will make it easier for you and your family to have a fun and workout at the same time.
  2. If you have workout equipment at home and are not traveling but having a “staycation,” dust off the gym equipment and find those workout DVD’s. You and your family can make a plan and set some fitness goals. Make it a fun competition on who can complete or meet daily fitness recommendations.
  3. If you are a member of a fitness gym and haven’t been taking advantage of your membership, the holiday season is a good time to re-start your fitness workout.
  4. If weather is mild and there are clear walkways, walking is a very beneficial way to be physically active. Shopping or even mall walking is also popular, check with your local mall and find out if there are special morning hours prior to opening for people to walk.

The benefits of physical activity:

  • Burns calories
  • Strengthens the heart
  • Endorphins are released
  • Builds muscles

It is recommended that before you begin any physical activity, you should first check with your doctor. The benefits that you and your family gain by committing to staying physically fit during the holiday season maybe start to a year-round routine of family fitness.

Feet on an elliptical

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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