Winter is upon us, whether you are ready or not! Staying in shape with December fitness challenge ideas is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. Not just because you remain focused on your weight goals, but keeping your heart rate up improves your heart health and lowers your risk of chronic diseases. Plus, you can keep the winter blues at bay.
Unfortunately, many Americans lose their zest for remaining active during hibernation months. You may end up losing all the steam you’ve built up throughout the year and have to start from scratch again in the spring. However, you can keep yourself on track because remaining active during the winter doesn’t have to be complicated.
Here are five simple December fitness challenge ideas that you can try:
Fun December Fitness Challenge Ideas for You and Your Family
- Mix It up a Little!
If you’re struggling to leave the cozy comforts of your warm bed, you’re not alone. If your usual routine involves an early morning jog, don’t force yourself to do something that fills you with dread. Being active should be something you enjoy doing, not something you have to do.
By switching up your routine in the winter, you allow yourself to remain motivated and find new December fitness challenge ideas that are more ideal for your lifestyle, habits, and increasingly shorter days. What worked for you in the summer may not be best in the winter.
Avoid hitting a plateau in your fitness journey. Instead, switch out early morning walks with a lunchtime yoga class or take a nice jog while the sun is up. You’ll enjoy challenging different muscles and exploring different ways to kick up your metabolism.
- Find a Winter Workout Buddy
Some folks are disciplined no matter what, but for many of us, it’s much harder to hold yourself accountable when no one is around to see.
When you enlist the company and support of a friend or a group, you all hold each other accountable. Use peer pressure for good!
Together, you can bike around town and explore different areas or try new activities like Pilates, rock climbing, hiking, and so much more. Many places offer holiday and winter discounts, so why not shop around together to find the perfect plus one workouts.
- Focus On Eating Well
Winter brings many comforts. Nighttime strolls around your neighborhood reveal winter wonderland delights as neighbors decorate their homes with beautiful lights, and so many gatherings involve potlucks and homemade desserts.
Among such a tempting cornucopia of delicious treats, it’s essential that you remember the benefits of clean eating.
A simple method is to avoid sweets, soft drinks, sugary snacks, and other things that are hard to resist. If that seems impossible, try approaching the dinner table with a plan to limit yourself. It’s good to have fun while practicing a little discipline.
- Get Some Vitamin D
Many studies have revealed that getting a little sun is essential for your well-being. Seasonal affective disorder is a form of depression that starts in the fall and lasts until spring. The risk of SAD is higher for those living further away from the equator. Depression can be a debilitating condition that can impact many levels of human function.
Vitamin D has been shown to have significant health benefits in preventing and treating chronic illnesses. If you’re feeling low, sluggish, and out of energy, you may benefit from a little outdoor exposure to the sun’s rays.
Walking outside for even 20 minutes every day can help stave off depression along with many other health conditions.
- Start Planning for Spring
It may not feel like it, but spring is just around the corner. By setting a goal during the winter months, you can meet the spring with a fantastic body and excellent health.
Plus, it’s good to have a goal that you can work towards.
No matter how you feel about the winter months, these winter fitness tips will help you be successful with your health and wellness!
If you’re interested in finding more fitness tips for winter, keep reading!
