As much as I love Christmas, once the day itself is over I usually have a massive urge to pack everything away and start jogging. Obviously I don’t start jogging, but the thought is there.
I spend so long getting excited in the run up to Christmas that all my festivity is used up by Boxing Day, and I just want to get back to work. It’s a bloody good job really, as a lot of my work hours during December were spent buying presents and meeting friends for mince pies.
Such is my excessive love of all things Christmas, that it will be some weeks before we can plough our way through the piles of chocolates, biscuits and stilton, so while I’m still knee-deep in peppermint creams, waiting for netball to start up again, the only alternative is to get some exercise. Here then are three ideas for gentle sports to help you get rid of some of that stollen that has settled so unflatteringly on your hips:
Go for a walk
So simple, yet so effective. Walking not only keeps you fit, it’s also a great way to clear your mind, relax and get motivated. We’re not talking a stroll around the Debenhams sale mind – you need to put a bit of effort in. Layer up in all your wooly Christmas gifts and get yourself out on a hill somewhere for a bracing hike. Crank things up a notch by getting yourself a pedometer in the sales and challenging yourself to reach 10,000 steps every day.
Have a swim
In loads of places across the UK, people celebrate Christmas with a spot of sea swimming. This, in my opinion, is madness. It’s cold in the sea in December don’t you know? Instead, I’d recommend a nice warm indoor pool, where you can have a cup of tea afterwards. And maybe a mince pie. Swimming is brilliant all around exercise, working loads of different muscle groups at the same time as supporting your body weight.
Ride a horse
A little more decadent this one, but haven’t you always fancied yourself on horseback, galloping daringly across the countryside, thick dark hair billowing behind you? No? Just me then. If you’re not a natural horseman (me again there) then think of it not just as good exercise, but also as an opportunity to tick off that ‘try something new’ resolution. Plus it’s a great excuse to pick up a pair of sexy leather boots from equestrian clearance. I’m sure I’m going to look great on my horse. Who doesn’t want to see a chubby woman bouncing around in Jodhpurs?
I feel the same way about “after-Xmas”. I guess it may be sth even more serious and the psychologists all over the world have already came up with a name for that (“after X-mas syndrome”?) and shortly will make a lot of money explaining to the people how to deal with it :D
Oh, and I could not agree more with the horse-riding part. I used to ride a horse to be honest, but it was a couple of years ago and now I simply can’t find the time…It’s also not the cheapest of all sports and when you have 2 little ones with big needs its simply impossible…
Perhaps I should get in quick and coin a phrase and write a book about it :-)
haha this post caught my eye. New years resolution no1 is to loose weight! I started running a few weeks back and intend to aim for the half and the 10k this coming year (and to skinny my arse back into pre-preg AND get in a wedding dress!) talk about pressure!
i do love a good swim! and a walk.. I wish it would stop raining though!!
Merry Christmas.. and a happy new year!!
Fern xox
PennyBakesLove.blogspot.co.uk
Oh wow, you have set yourself a challenge!! The weather does make it really hard. We went out for a walk yesterday and took Belle’s new Christmas bike with us but it was soooo cold and windy, she spent most of the time complaining…
Completely agree. In fact I rather bravely/stupidly went for a run on boxing day. It was lovely and quiet on the streets and I felt so much better about stuffing mysel after that!:))