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During the Christmas season, it’s important to stay flexible with your workouts, adapting them to your schedule of dinners and gatherings with friends and family.
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Indulging in some culinary pleasures is possible, balancing it with physical activity before or after meals to feel better and stay active.
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Even when traveling, running shoes can become an ally for exploring new destinations and keeping moving without stress.
December is the month of endless temptations, with a series of never-ending meals and parties. If during the year you’ve found it challenging to balance your social life and daily commitments with your training program, December might make you feel like Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible.
But surviving the holidays is far from an impossible mission. You can navigate the Christmas frenzy, enjoy the festive season, and still keep running and training for your future goals. Below, you’ll find the ultimate guide to managing your passion for running during the sweetest time of the year.
Be flexible
December can feel like an obstacle course that sabotages your training plan. Between midweek office parties and family lunches that take up your entire weekend, it may be hard to stick to your usual workout schedule. The key is not to give up entirely or force yourself unnecessarily. The smartest move is to adjust your schedule based on your commitments: if you have a party on Friday night, shift your run to Thursday. Got a family lunch on Sunday? Head out for a run Sunday morning before sitting down to a big meal.
Food is your friend
December is a celebration of scents, colors, flavors, and… calories. You’ll be surrounded by temptations, and you shouldn’t deny yourself the pleasure. Allow yourself some culinary indulgences without overdoing it, using common sense. Before a big meal, you could go for a jog to stretch your legs; this will not only help you savor all the delicious dishes on the table but also let you enjoy a few extra treats guilt-free. After the meal, to aid digestion, go for a walk to boost your metabolism and fight off the post-meal drowsiness.
Traveling? Pack your running shoes
If you’ve planned a trip for the holidays, don’t forget to pack your running shoes. Exploring new destinations on a run is one of the best ways to get acquainted with your surroundings. Don’t aim to cover long distances, keep your runs short and use them as a warm-up to start your day before continuing your exploration on foot. Before you know it, you’ll have clocked in plenty of miles, staying active while burning off the extra calories from all the Christmas feasts.
No stress, January can wait
December isn’t the time to stress over personal records. Between gift shopping, celebrations, and countless obligations, the most important thing is simply to keep moving. If you miss a run, don’t worry, it’s not the end of the world. Use common sense, treat yourself to some indulgences, and leave the rest for January.