20 Day Holiday Workout Challenge
Now that we’ve said sayonara to both Halloween and Thanksgiving, I think it’s safe to say that we’re currently in the thick of the holiday season. I’ve even got the decorations to prove it.
From holiday parties with buffets of seasonal cakes & cookies, to the urge to cook and devour warm carbs every night, the chilly winter season is full of temptation and opportunities to overindulge. For me though, it’s easier to manage winter weight gain by staying active instead of refusing to enjoy special, once-a-year holiday goodies. Therefore this year I’ve decided to ward off the weight with a plan.
There’s 20 weekdays from now until Christmas, and I intend to workout on every single one of them, taking Saturdays & Sundays off. ‘Cause your body needs a break, and I hate working out on the weekends.
There, I said it.
Luckily I have 40+ treadmill and workout routines to choose from on my Workouts Page, so every day I’ll pick one and, come hell, high water, or, shudder, a 5am trip to the gym – I’ll complete it.
Please feel free to join me in my challenge if you’d like, in any way you can. Maybe you hate running, but love walking, using the elliptical, or taking workout classes. Perfect! The idea is just to stay active over the next 20 weekdays.
I’ve created a 20 Day Holiday Workout Challenge page where I’ll be documenting what I do. Leave your blog URL, or name if you don’t have a blog, in the comments section of that page if you plan on participating in the challenge. I’ve also tossed around the idea of making a button to copy/paste on your blog, so let me know if there’s any interest in that!
In the meantime, here’s to the most wonderful, time – and YOU – of the year!
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How do you ward off holiday/winter-related weight gain? Making careful food choices, taking it up a notch in the gym, or just figuring it will even out eventually?
Do you have to cook to accomodate a special diet, or food allergies?
Jennifer @ Eat With Knowledge 11.29.2011
I’m a dietitian and heart health is one of my specialties!! Whenever you have high cholesterol, it is about cutting back on saturated fat to some extent but it’s also about adding more fiber-rich foods like oatmeal, beans, fruits, and veggies. The fiber actually goes to your arteries and “recycles” the plaque back to the liver, lowering your LDL cholesterol. It’s amazing what good nutrition can do!
Kati Mora, MS, RD, Kellogg's FiberPlus(R) Wellness Advocate 11.29.2011
That burger looks simply amazing! And I love that you incorporated spinach right into the burger – such a simple way to boost the fiber content. Love it!
Tish 11.29.2011
That burger looks amazing! I shall copy it and market it to my boyfriend as the exotic burger from Iowa.
Ty 11.29.2011
I have to eat gluten free to ward off stomach issues. It was difficult at first not to purchase all the processed gluten free items, but now I’ve started getting pretty creative.
Jessica @ Stylish Stealthy and Healthy 11.29.2011
I so need to do this. I’ve been a huge workout slacker the last month and I keep saying I need to get in gear…but I keep buying bottles of wine instead. Today I will start working out more and drinking less! Well.. after I kill the rest of my last bottle of wine.
Iowa Girl Eats 11.29.2011
Hahahahaha, you are hilarious ;)
Lisa in Fort Worth 11.29.2011
Don’t forget to have him eat his oatmeal! It really works.
Iowa Girl Eats 11.29.2011
He does every morning! It’s really cute ;)
Lori 11.29.2011
I joined a running club at my gym that lasts 8 weeks through November and December. It’s perfect timing during the holiday season and the instructor gave each of us an individualized training plan. It has been a fantastic way to hold myself accountable. With my training plan I am working out 5-6 days a week so I won’t feel too guilty about all of the sweet treats I am sure to eat over the holidays!
Micah 11.29.2011
I’ll be joining you in the 20 Day Holiday Workout. I went out of town earlier this month for a wedding and totally got out of the workout habit. I figure if I workout every weekday between now and Christmas, that should get me back in the habit.
As for foods, I’ve been trying to reduce the number of carbs I eat. I have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), and apparently to lose weight, I should only be eating 200 carbs a day. Sounds like a lot until you start looking at the carb content of some things. I love bread, potatoes, etc., so it’s difficult. And some nights, my dinner just ends up being a bag of steamed green beans or broccoli. Those burgers sound amazing though. I might have to try them.
Gabby Bladdick 11.29.2011
20 DAYS?! Woah now…that’s scary! I love the idea of a button for blogs!
Natalie @ hellonatalie 11.29.2011
I cannot believe there are only 20 days left!
Jackie 11.29.2011
My sister is a Celiac, so that is definitely something that takes some thought and planning! The problem with gluten free items are a lot of them are high in sugar and high in carbs. Sure she can eat all the fruits, veggies and meats she wants, but sometimes a girl needs dessert! :)
Hope 11.29.2011
These burgers look fabulous! I am totally going to make them. Yum! :)
Ashley 11.29.2011
I’m doing the workout challenge! I worked out last night thank goodness. Also, thanks to you I use Livestrong to track Food and Fitness too!
Joining in :)
Brittney 11.29.2011
Those look so GOOD. Mmmm. I’ll have to try. And I’m down for the workout challenge! I took two classes yesterday so I’m off to a good start! :)
alyssa - fashion fitness foodie 11.29.2011
I need to join in on this because i havent worked out in 3 weeks!!!! Feeling super lazy today, so I will be joining!
Alyssa 11.28.2011
I am joining in! Tonight I did lots of Just Dance 3, I hope that counts because I got sweaty.
And I used to have elevated cholesterol levels but last month I got them retested and they are in the normal levels! Yeah for eating lots of veggies and whole grains and no longer living off college cafeteria greasy food and more greasy takeout!
Brittnie (A Joy Renewed) 11.28.2011
The burger looks delicious! Take that high cholesterol!! :)
Tessa 11.28.2011
I enjoy your new format, Kristin! It is very crip, clean, and inviting.
I would like to join in on the challenge! I haven’t exercised regularly in a while. This sounds like a great way to schedule it back in.
I’ve always been pretty active, so everything has always just evened out.
This will be my second holiday season with food allergies. When I was at school last year (I’m a teacher) I was sent to the ER with an anaphylactic reaction to peanuts. I probably ate peanut butter and nuts on a daily basis up until that moment. As the year went on, I began having severe reactions to tree nuts, corn, soy, seeds, many fruits and vegetables, and the latest has been wheat. My mom teases me for the fact that I can’t even eat bird food! I will be attending Christmas parties for the socialization this year.
Hind sight is 20/20. Now, whenever I can, I bring awareness to the importance of a rotation diet. I had no idea corn, soy, and wheat have a bazillion different names and hide in everything we buy from the store. I do love the new foods that I’ve found. I also enjoy making new recipes. I made some “Oreos” the other day that were delicious!!! They’ll be a great treat to take to my next holiday gathering, and they will accomodate a friend who is gluten-free, also!
jan 11.28.2011
OH NO! I dont know what happened to your blog but when I go into Google Reader it only shows me a few sentences and then I have to click on which makes it switch over to your blog. Do you know what might be the cause of this. Not that I dont love your website…I just have lots to read in one place :) Thanks
Jenna 11.28.2011
I found out this fall that my HCL levels are high, so I’ve been trying to be better about eating healthy. Your recipes help! I’m also going to give the 20 days a try, good luck!