Fit for the Season
Even the stars of fitness DVDs struggle to exercise during the holidays. Here's their advice for staying on track.
Sarah Bowen Shea
11/2007
11/2007
"Living more actively can make a huge difference in your holiday season. Find ways to get out of your chair if you sit all day. When running errands, wear shoes that allow you to walk easily and quickly. Take advantage of crowded parking lots. Park far from the store and walk a little farther to your destination." —Michelle Dozois, Your Body Breakthrough: Your Best Body Circuit.
"Find a teacher and a class that is fun for you. Make personal contact with the teacher, and let her encourage you to come to class. If you're tired, tell yourself you'll go and only stay for half of the class. At the halfway mark, stay another ten minutes. Before you know it, the class will be over." —Lynn Anderson, Dr. Lynn's Anti-Aging Workout for Every Body
"Make your holiday party a yoga one. Start the festivities off with an hour-long session led by a private yoga teacher. Another great option: Make your own exercise Advent calendar. You open a little door and there's a picture of a triangle pose, so everyone in your family does that. Or ten push-ups or a 20-minute walk." —Eva Barash, LivingRoom Yoga
"For Hanukkah, focus on the numbers eight (the number of nights it's celebrated) and four (the day of the month it starts on this year) in your workouts. Do four eight-minute intervals on the treadmill. Walk or jog eight blocks four times. Do eight yoga poses. Meditate for eight minutes at 4 p.m., no matter what is happening at the office or at home." —Amy Bento, 10 Minute Solution: Tone Trouble Zones
"Love your body no matter what! You may not have as much time to hit the gym or go for a walk, but you always have time to practice positive self-talk. Use positive, present-tense affirmations and visualization techniques." —Minna Lessig, Tank Top Arms, Bikini Belly, Boy Shorts Bottom
"Remember that a week or two off from exercise will not transform your body drastically. Decide what's important—your friends, your family, or charity work. When your decision on how to spend your time is based on your priorities in life, the results of not exercising for a week won't seem so awful." —Jennifer Galardi, creator of Dance Off the Inches: Hip Hop Dance Party
All DVDs are available at amazon.com.
