It’s official! The holiday season is in full swing with its non-stop schedule of shopping, decorating, gift wrapping, special events, family gatherings, and eating. During this incredibly busy time of year, it’s easy to let your gym workouts fall by the wayside.
Research shows, however, that once you stop exercising, de-training begins in just a few weeks. Instead of quitting your routine at our Thornton gym, it’s better to do maintenance workouts so that you don’t lose all the progress you’ve worked so hard to gain. Even if you reduce the time you spend at the gym for each session or cut back to one workout per week, that’s a lot better than stopping exercise altogether and then trying to make up for lost ground after the New Year begins.
In addition to maintaining your fitness and all the gains you’ve made, there are many other reasons why you should give yourself the gift of regular exercise during the holiday season. Read on to learn more.
#1 – Gym Workouts Help You Avoid Holiday Weight Gain
During the holidays, we tend to eat a lot more than at any other time during the year, and most of what we eat is high in calories. This puts us at risk of gaining a few pounds. Regular workouts at the gym can help offset these extra calories, whether it’s cardiovascular exercise to burn them off, or strength training to maintain muscle mass, which helps us use more calories even when we’re at rest.
#2 – Working Out at the Gym Reduces Holiday Stress
The holidays stress us out in many ways thanks to increased food preparation, frequent visitors, managing finances, shopping for that must-have gift, and trying to ship presents out on time. Whew! Thankfully, your gym workouts provide an abundance of mental health benefits including stress relief.
#3 – Go to the Gym to Ease Seasonal Depression
As we approach the Winter Solstice, daylight hours get shorter and shorter. For many of us, this can cause varying degrees of seasonal depression (also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD). Research shows that exercise can treat mild to moderate depression as effectively as antidepressant medication, without the side effects. While exercising at a gym near you is certainly beneficial, exercising outside during daylight hours is especially effective at fighting seasonal depression. In addition, rhythmic exercises like walking, weight training, martial arts, and dancing seem to offer the most benefits for people who suffer from SAD. Make sure to check out all the winter workout options at our gym!
#4 – Regular Gym Workouts Provide Structure During Hectic Times
One of the main ways that the holidays lead to problems with stress, weight gain, and depression is how they interfere with our daily routines. While holiday celebrations can add fun and excitement to our lives, subconsciously, we still crave structure and routine. By maintaining your gym schedule, you can provide your days with a framework that will help you regulate food intake and your sleep schedule. This will give you the energy you need to keep up with all the demands of the season.
#5 – Escape the Crowds at the Gym
Do the holiday crowds at stores, parties, sporting events, and restaurants make you feel overwhelmed and a little claustrophobic? Our gym is the perfect place to escape the crowds, stretch out, and breathe. You won’t have to worry about waiting in line to use our top-of-the-line weights, elliptical machines, treadmills, rowing machines, spin bikes, or other low-impact exercise options at AFAC gym. If you really need a chance to unwind, try out our amazing hydro massage bed or yoga and meditation classes.
#6 – Keep Your Energy Levels Up with Regular Gym Workouts
The holidays can leave us feeling drained and utterly exhausted. While this may tempt you to skip your workouts and get more sleep, you can actually increase your energy levels by sticking to your regular workout regimen. Stay alert throughout the season by starting each day off with a heart-pumping exercise session.
Plus, all the rich food you eat during the holidays can leave you feeling extra sluggish. Exercise, especially low-intensity cardio, has been shown to aid digestion and keep your tummy feeling as fit as the rest of your body.
#7 – Sleep Deeper and Wake Rested After Going to the Gym
You need the best sleep you can get during the holidays! If you want to ensure a good night’s slumber and wake up feeling rested, be sure to maintain your regular workouts at the gym. Studies have shown that exercise promotes slow-wave sleep, also known as Stage 3 sleep or delta sleep. This is a deep, intense stage of sleep that is difficult to be aroused from, but leaves us feeling refreshed and rejuvenated in the morning. Time to settle down for that long winter’s nap!
#8 – Boost Your Immune System by Going to the Gym
Now more than ever, it’s important to keep our immune systems strong. And when we run ourselves ragged during the holiday season, it puts us at greater risk of catching colds, flus, and other viruses. In addition to eating healthy foods and getting all your vitamins, keep up with your fitness program to help your body fight germs. Physical activity has been shown to:
- Flush bacteria out of the lungs
- Slow down the release of stress hormones that can compromise immune performance
- Make white blood cells and antibodies circulate more rapidly around the body
- Raise body temperature to fight infections
If, however, you’re under the weather, please do stay home and rest until you feel better. Make sure to consult with your doctor and inquire about any medical treatment you might need.
#9 – The Gym Will Keep You Working Toward Your Fitness Goals
Think about how hard you’ve worked all year to achieve your fitness goals, and how proud you are of the progress you’ve made. Why let your workouts slide and put yourself through the anguish of getting back on track? Avoid the panic and dread of the New Year’s fitness rush at all the other gyms near you by keeping your workout routine as normal as possible in December. Kick off the New Year feeling fabulous and on top of your game!
#10 – Gym Workouts Leave You Looking Festive and Fit
Don’t you want to look your best in your holiday attire? Whether you plan on wearing a sparkly dress or a fitted suit, your gym workouts will help you look extra dashing when you don your festive apparel. Nothing beats the healthy glow that comes from regular exercise! Plus, you’ll be ready to dance the night away.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Fitness at AFAC Gym
There’s no place like AFAC gym for the holidays, especially if you want to make it through the season as fit as when it started. The staff here at AFAC gym hopes to see you at the gym during the busy holiday season so that we can support you in your fitness journey.
To learn more about us and how to become a member of the best gym in the Thornton area, please stop by or call to speak with a member of our staff. You can also contact our gym owner, Susan, at 720-849-0245 or susan@adventurefitness.club for assistance.
To read more articles from Adventure Fitness Athletic Club, check out our Adventure Corner blogs by clicking here.
