The One Thing You Can’t Forget during This Holiday Season

by Karen Elizaga | Posted: December 22nd, 2011 | No Comments »

There are a million more things to do around the holidays. My favorites include receiving holiday cards, holiday parties and extra time with my family. The work, however, that comes with the holidays can take up hours of time in an already time-pressed week. Wrapping presents, sending holiday cards, unwrapping fragile ornaments, shopping, cooking, making lists and checking them twice. What’s the one thing that you must keep on your calendar despite the dearth of time?

Exercise. How did you know I was going to say that?

We already know that exercise burns calories, and for many, that’s a huge motivator to stay at the gym. For many, that’s enough, especially in the face of eggnog, cocktails and the plethora of holiday desserts.

Here are other reasons to stay on the proverbial treadmill:

• Exercise keeps you drinking from the fountain of youth.
• The endorphins and other good stuff that courses through your veins as a result of exercise make you feel good and happy.
• Your metabolism sees a massive benefit from exercise.
• Exercise strengthens your immunity, providing excellent protection against colds and other winter ailments.
• Mentally and emotionally, you rock… maybe you bust some moves like Jagger.
• The energy that comes with exercise will keep you motoring through your busy holiday days. Who needs coffee?
• You sleep better – imagine such luxury in bed!
• Speaking of luxury in bed, exercise improves your sex life… having stamina, flexibility and cardio health will pump you (and your partner!) up.

So keep exercise in your routine this holiday season… walk, run, spin, do yoga, lift weights, do a cardio barre class, speedwalk on the beach, speedwalk in the airport, make shopping a cardio event. Do whatever you can to incorporate it and you will be ahead of the game for your 2012 resolutions!