Co-written with Lahaina Mae Mondoñedo
As one of the busiest times of year, the holidays can be one of the most challenging times to stick to your regular workout routine. Moreso if that workout routine is in its infancy! So I sat down with D.C.-based fitness and wellness professional, Lahaina Mae, to ask her for some holiday workout tips.
1. Plan Ahead
Whenever you set a goal, whether personal or work-related, having a plan of execution will greatly increase your chances of success. This is also true for when you have a goal to stick to a workout routine during the holidays. I like to plot my workouts in a calendar that has both my work and personal commitments, so I can treat my workout as any other important appointment and make sure there are no scheduling conflicts. If there are, I am aware beforehand, and I can make a plan B.
2. Workout Early
The holiday season is the season of celebration and gatherings with friends and family. These make for a full calendar and often booked evenings. With that in mind, I do my best to get my workouts done either first thing in the morning or during my lunch break, which gives me more flexibility in the evenings to enjoy this festive season. Also, if you’re not able to make a morning workout, you still have more time in the day to adjust your schedule and squeeze it in.
3. Be Creative
The recurring theme you may see here is that the holiday season is a busy one. You may not be able to get your full-hour workout at your usual gym. Perhaps be open to doing a shorter workout or catching a quick class near wherever you have appointments or even doing something active with friends and family instead of a happy hour or dinner.
4. Prioritize Sleep and Hydration
Again, since the holidays can be a very hectic time for many, getting good quality sleep and staying properly hydrated is often not a priority. This can lead to fatigue and lack of energy among many things, which is not a good recipe to get you pumped up for your workouts and also to help you recover after a workout if you’re able to get it in. This also makes sure you keep sickness away!
5. Exercise With Others
This is my favorite way to stay accountable. Find a workout buddy or community! Studies have shown that those who embark on a new workout program with a buddy are 40% more likely to stick to it. I can work out alone, but it’s much more fun to work out with others. It’s also a fun and healthy way to spend time with those you care about–isn’t quality time with your loved ones what the holidays are all about anyway?
Lahaina Mae is an operations and communications professional who found her calling in the fitness and wellness industry and now has been lending her time and expertise as one of the founders of the Every Person Run Club.
For her work as an event producer, she is known for executing notable beauty, fitness, and entertainment events. She is also the owner and founder of By Lahaina LLC, a marketing agency that elevates brands and their mission to innovate and improve the lives of others through their specific industry.
Lahaina is also a community leader. As a run club leader, marathoner, obstacle course athlete, fitness and nutrition coach, and wellness columnist and speaker, she now uses these channels to further her mission–spreading the importance of a holistic approach to wellness.
Previously, Lahaina has worked as a freelance producer for the Washington Post, as a senior communications editor at the Smithsonian National Zoo, and worked on projects for the Marine Corps Marathon, Habitat for Humanity, and Amazon as a marketing professional, just to name a few.
Lahaina has an MS in Journalism from Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, where she covered stories at the White House, Capitol Hill, and all over the DMV as a reporter.
Currently, you can find Lahaina running, biking, and cafe hopping all around Washington, D.C. You can follow her adventures on Instagram at @lahainamae.
