Fight Winter Workout Sabotage
As we reach the height of the holiday season, minus mall walking, physical activity for many may be reaching new lows. Not only is the weather outside frightful, but motivation to schlep it to the gym or rough it in the cold may be waning. While holiday season weight gain seems inevitable for some, those who worked out hard all year will be better to keep it moving. Here are some reasons to stick to a healthy dose of exercise during the winter months.
Keep Body Fat at Bay
A small study of college students’ weight gain turned upno significant change relative to average body weight.However, the study did find that fat mass and body fat percentage significantly increased during the holiday season. To stave off the increase in body fat percentage, use exercise to keep the fat burning. Even if you manage to eat right during this time of indulgence, exercise can help you maintain your body fat percentage. Because excess fat in the abdominal area is associated with chronic diseases, keeping fat off is a big deal health-wise, even if it doesn’t translate to lost pounds.
Prevent Conditioning Loss
Unless you’re a seasoned athlete you simply can’t afford to stop exercising for a few months, that is unless you want lose your aerobic gains. Researchers found that athletes lost about half their aerobic conditioning after completely stopping exercise for three months. However, a separate study found those who started exercise programs returned to their previous fitness levels after only two months of not working out. You can slow down, but don’t give up entirely. Another study of sedentary men who started a three-times-a-week strength training program found they maintained their strength gains when they lowered their sessions to only once a week.
Keep Body Fat at Bay
A small study of college students’ weight gain turned upno significant change relative to average body weight.However, the study did find that fat mass and body fat percentage significantly increased during the holiday season. To stave off the increase in body fat percentage, use exercise to keep the fat burning. Even if you manage to eat right during this time of indulgence, exercise can help you maintain your body fat percentage. Because excess fat in the abdominal area is associated with chronic diseases, keeping fat off is a big deal health-wise, even if it doesn’t translate to lost pounds.
Prevent Conditioning Loss
Unless you’re a seasoned athlete you simply can’t afford to stop exercising for a few months, that is unless you want lose your aerobic gains. Researchers found that athletes lost about half their aerobic conditioning after completely stopping exercise for three months. However, a separate study found those who started exercise programs returned to their previous fitness levels after only two months of not working out. You can slow down, but don’t give up entirely. Another study of sedentary men who started a three-times-a-week strength training program found they maintained their strength gains when they lowered their sessions to only once a week.
Avoid Bad Habits
Just as you made an effort to allot time to exercise, allowing that time to be used in other ways may mean you lose a good habit. While it won’t follow that your usual time of exercise will turn into sitting on the couch after the New Year, the fact is, letting go of a workout plan could result in no workout plan to replace it. Instead get flexible. While you may not be able to do the same exercise you did when it was summer, find a way to do something to stay fit. It’s as if your car battery is low and you’re trying to go and buy a new one. Don’t stop that engine.
Just as you made an effort to allot time to exercise, allowing that time to be used in other ways may mean you lose a good habit. While it won’t follow that your usual time of exercise will turn into sitting on the couch after the New Year, the fact is, letting go of a workout plan could result in no workout plan to replace it. Instead get flexible. While you may not be able to do the same exercise you did when it was summer, find a way to do something to stay fit. It’s as if your car battery is low and you’re trying to go and buy a new one. Don’t stop that engine.
