INTRODUCTION
The holiday season is a beautiful but dangerous time for fitness supporters. With sumptuous feasts and cosy gatherings, it’s easy to forget about staying active. However, introducing health challenges can add the right mix of fun and purpose to your holiday season. This article outlines various health challenges that can keep you, your family and even your friends engaged and healthy. Additionally, this article explores how to stay active with health challenges.
WHY OPT FOR A FITNESS CHALLENGE?
Stay active with health challenges can be a game-changer during the holidays. They offer structured goals, a competitive spirit, and a sense of achievement. More importantly, they make fitness fun and collective, fitting perfectly with the holiday spirit of togetherness.
THE 12 DAYS OF HEALTH FITNESS
Inspired by the ’12 Days of Christmas,’ this challenge involves performing a specific daily activity, incrementally increasing the repetitions. By the 12th day, you’ll have a comprehensive workout routine that you can be proud of.
THE SNOWMAN MELTDOWN
Tailor a fitness routine to mimic the ‘melting’ of a snowman. Begin with a full-body workout and gradually shift to targeted activities, representing the snowman ‘melting away.’ It’s a creative way to encourage weight loss or toning goals.
HOLIDAY MOVIE HEALTH GAME
Stay active with health challenges while enjoying your favourite holiday movies, and attach specific activities to recurring themes or phrases. For example, you do ten jumping jacks whenever someone says “Merry Christmas” in the film. It’s a win-win: enjoy the movie and burn calories simultaneously.
VIRTUAL FAMILY HEALTH CHALLENGE
In our interconnected world, distance doesn’t have to be a barrier. Please set up a virtual health challenge where family members can participate from wherever they are. Use a fitness tracking app to monitor each other’s progress and maintain accountability.
FOODIE’S DELIGHT – THE CALORIE COUNTER CHALLENGE
This challenge is about balance for those who love to indulge in holiday treats. Calculate the calories in your favourite holiday foods and create a workout to ‘earn’ them. It brings awareness to caloric intake while allowing indulgence.
THE WINTER SPORT CHALLENGE
Take advantage of the winter season to stay active with winter games like skiing, snowboarding, or ice skating as a health challenge. Set goals such as time spent on the activity or mastering a new skill.
ADVENT CALENDAR OF FITNESS
Design an Advent calendar where each day reveals a new fitness challenge. This builds anticipation and provides a daily dose of activity, breaking the monotony of a routine workout.
GRATITUDE HEALTH CHALLENGE
Incorporate mindfulness into your fitness challenge. Assign workouts to things you’re grateful for. For example, ten push-ups for family, 15 squats for good health and wellbeing etc. It adds a layer of emotional health and wellbeing to the physical challenge.
CHARITY RUN/WALK CHALLENGE
Many communities organise charity runs or walks during the holidays. Participating in such an event can serve as a fitness challenge while also giving back to the community. Engaging in these activities is a fulfilling way to stay active with health challenges.
CONCLUSION
Health challenges are not just for the avid activity; they can be tailored to suit anyone looking to stay active during the holiday season. From calorie-counting games to gratitude-focused activities, these challenges offer something for everyone. This holiday season, don’t just feast and celebrate—take up a health challenge and experience the holiday spirit in a new, healthful way.