Keeping Fit This Holiday Season

The holidays are coming, and while I’m looking forward to friends, family and those special, holiday-only dishes, I’m not looking forward to the more around the middle that’s sure to follow. So I’m starting now to think about how to keep fit this holiday season. My first idea? Get moving!

You only need a little time and you’ll discover that being physically active is the best way to live a longer, healthier, and happier life. And it can help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight while lowering the risk for certain diseases. Here are some of the ways to add a few more steps to your Fitbit – all low or no cost.

Prescription Trails. Healthcare professionals assess their patients’ fitness at the beginning, then write a tailored walking prescription based on the current physical condition. Walking programs can contribute to the treatment and prevention of a number of chronic conditions such as diabetes, depression and high blood pressure. For more information on local walking trails and parks go to: www.prescriptiontrailsnm.org.

Walk the dog. You and your best friend will benefit from even a quick stroll around the block. Our dogs love to get out, but when it’s cold and getting dark at the end of a long day, it sure is hard to go for the leash and head outside. That’s when I look at my furry kids and remember that their health is just as important as mine.

Buddy up! Exercising with a friend is one of the best ways to get and stay motivated. You make a commitment to each other – and no one wants to disappoint their friend. Plus, you wind up pushing each other to do more, faster and longer than if you go it alone.

10,000 steps. Conventional wisdom says that 10,000 steps a day is the minimum we need to move. In the normal course of events — just living and working — the average person takes anywhere from 900 to 3000 steps in a day and not much more. Walking 10,000 steps is the approximate equivalent of walking 5 miles. You can totally do that.

Pedometer or mobile app: Unless you are really good at counting, you will probably want to pick up a quality pedometer to measure your steps. Some pedometers also monitor distances, and even heart rate, calories burned, etc. or find a mobile app that you can add to your phone.

Truck it. You’ve heard this one over and over again. Park as far away from entrances when you shop. I started this years ago when I got my first new car, and didn’t want any door dings. Then I realized, it takes just a few seconds longer but worth it to burn that few extra calories. It all adds up.

Hit the mall. Did you know that most malls open an hour or so early for walkers? Cold weather is here, so move your walk time indoors. And even if the stores are open, you can leave your cash and credit cards at home and simply stroll around the mall in a temperature-controlled, relatively safe environment. As long as you plan your route away from the food court, you’ll be fine.

Published: New Mexico Apartment News Magazine – November/December 2023