Home for the Holidays

For the first time since my wedding, Matt (the best hubs ever!) and I are going HOME for the holidays.  Not just one home, but both homes!  Christmas at my house and New Years at his!  I can't wait for the goodness that will be happening.  However, for those two weeks when we will most likely indulge more than we normally would- I will have no access to a gym.  I began to think about it and realized that there are probably a lot of people who travel for the holidays and don't have the ability to just work out at a gym.  So I took the time to compile some tips for staying active while traveling.

*purchase a yoga/pilates DVD and hit the yoga mat in front of your television wherever you are.  Yoga is relaxing, moderate intensity, and super awesome for you!  Do it early in the morning as studies have shown that exercising first thing increases the likelihood that you will make little or no gains during the holidays!

*Go shopping!  Be a giver this holiday season and walk around the shopping mall-tis' the season!

*Make sure you take the healthy option whenever you can fit it in.  You'll find you can do that almost anytime and you'll feel awesome for it!  For instance, instead of soda at a restaurant-choose water.  Or have oatmeal, or eggs and veggies for breakfast before you start your holiday activities.

*Get a jump rope!  This is my new favorite and most recommended workout activity and you can do it ANYWHERE!  It gets your heart rate goin' strong, as well.  Jump rope in intervals:  Jump rope one minute, push-ups 30 seconds, jump rope one minute, sit ups 30 seconds, etc.

*Bundle up and run, even if it is a shorter run--just do it!  Treat yourself to hot tea afterward!

*Go sledding! Whhhheeeee! That's a fun one!

*Exercises you can do anywhere--squats(with a heavy book), jumps (jump up and kick your bootay-back down into a squat-repeat), jump rope, sit ups, push ups, yoga/pilates, stretching, dips (using chairs, furniture, or the floor), jumping jacks, etc.

How do you stay fit without a gym?  Share your wisdom with our readers!