12 Days of Fitness

Tis the season

It is the month of eating and entertaining. Winter is almost here with dark days, cold weather and all the holiday season has to offer. Often this means less exercise and more calories, but it doesn’t have to be this way. You can stay active, maintain your fitness, your weight and your sanity with a plan to add a little more activity this season.

One exercise session instantly protects your heart

Even one session of aerobic exercise results in immediate protection through a mechanism researchers call “cardiovascular preconditioning”. We all know that consistent exercise protects the heart over time, with a minimum of 1-3 times a week providing strong heart health benefits. Now we know that one exercise session provides 2-3 hours of heart protection as well as benefits that last up to 24 hours. Research published in JAMA Cardiology says that the cardiovascular protection is present after the first exercise session and is strengthened with consistent exercise sessions.

The season of excess

The holiday season is also the season of the Christmas Coronary due to overexertion, lack of exercise, cold weather, too many indulgences, alcohol, stress, cold weather, catching a bug, ignoring the symptoms and generally trying to do too much, eat too much and drink too much. All while getting too little sleep and doing too little exercise.

12 days till Christmas

There are 12 days until Christmas day and in these next two weeks, there are fewer people in the gym and more people at the mall. With more opportunities to eat high-calorie snacks everywhere we go. Along with this comes a collective easing of regular routines with more late nights and indulgences.

For good reason

You know that old saying about “all work and no play?” It’s true.

Having an off season helps your fitness, your focus, helps you stay motivated, lets you think ahead, plan for the future and set new goals. It is good to take some time to be a bit more relaxed and a little less disciplined. It makes sense.

In moderation

I recommend that everyone ease up on the training, be less disciplined, get some more rest for the next 2-3 weeks.

However, you can still be active.

Retain your fitness, protect your heart and your waistline. Be able to start the new year without losing any of the benefits you have already achieved with a few activities to go along with the festivities this season.

Join me

Join the 12 Days of Fitness. You will get a short training or motivational tip every day for the next 12 days to keep you fit and healthy this season. Join the 12 days of Fitness by clicking here and get your daily reminder to stay active.

Change your mind, change your health,

Shayla