10-Day Christmas Fitness Plan: Stay Active

With the Christmas season upon us, it’s easy to let our health and fitness goals and habits slip. However, staying active during the holidays can help you maintain your energy levels, boost your mood, and aid digestion after a Christmas feast.

Here’s a 10-day activity plan to keep you moving and feeling great over the Christmas period:

Day 1: 23rd December – Festive Family Walk

• Activity: Enjoy a brisk walk with family or friends.
• Duration: 30 minutes
• Benefits: Fresh air, gentle exercise, and quality time with loved ones.

Get out and about to your local park or green space and blow those cobwebs away! If you have lots of holiday prep still to do, why not walk to your local shops instead?

Day 2: Christmas Eve – Yoga and Meditation

• Activity: Practice a calming yoga flow followed by a short meditation session.
• Duration: 30 minutes
• Benefits: Reduced stress, improved flexibility, and enhanced mental clarity.

Take some time out of the busy prep to calm yourself and give your body a light workout. Check out our posts on beginning yoga if you need tips, or search for videos online.

Day 3: Christmas Day – Festive Feast Active Recovery

• Activity: A gentle walk or light yoga session to aid digestion.
• Duration: 20-30 minutes
• Benefits: Improved digestion, reduced bloating, and a sense of calm.

After dinner is done, why not walk around the block for some fresh air and to keep everything moving? You’ll feel better for it!

Day 4: Boxing Day – HIIT Workout

• Activity: A high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout to burn calories and boost metabolism.
• Duration: 20-30 minutes
• Benefits: Increased energy expenditure, improved cardiovascular health, and boosted mood.

Find a HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) video online and work up a sweat!

Day 5: 27th December – Festive Fun and Games

• Activity: Engage in active games like board games, charades, or outdoor games.
• Duration: 30-60 minutes
• Benefits: Fun, laughter, and increased physical activity.

Switch off those screens for some good old-fashioned family fun. Kick a football around, or play a game indoors.

Day 6: 28th December – Active Recovery Mobility 

• Activity: A gentle yoga-style flow focused on stretching and relaxation.
• Duration: 20-30 minutes
• Benefits: Improved flexibility, reduced muscle soreness, and stress relief.

Mobility is important for everyone, especially over the holidays when we tend to sit down more than usual. We love Caroline Girvan’s Unwind video which is free on YouTube.

Day 7: 29th December – Walk and Talk

• Activity: A brisk walk, swim, or cycle ride with the family
• Duration: 20-60 minutes
• Benefits: Fresh air, gentle exercise, and quality time with loved ones.

You have lots of options here – keep it simple with a local walk, or go further afield and see some Christmas lights. Or, dust off the bikes and explore your local area on two wheels!

Day 8: 30th December – HIIT Workout

• Activity: A high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout to burn calories and boost metabolism.
• Duration: 20-30 minutes
• Benefits: Increased energy expenditure, improved cardiovascular health, and boosted mood.

Repeat the HIIT workout from Boxing Day, or find a different one online! Get the blood pumping and feel the burn!