Never mind the Nightmare Before Christmas, let’s talk about the Nightmare After Christmas. You know, the one where you realize that you just spent the past week or so pigging out unapologetically on all of the foods you never let yourself have, quit your exercise routine because of your shopping and family obligations, and maybe even let your belt out a few holes. Augh, the day after Christmas, when the regret starts to set in. How to get your motivation back as quickly as possible to start your fitness routing again?!
It’s almost Eventing season again, depending on where you are weather-wise, and you’re running out of holiday excuses, so let’s start with the basics. After all the Christmas partying our bodies need to relax and unwind. There is only one time of the day when body and mind are both totally relaxed and that is when we are asleep. During sleep your body does most of it’s repair and healing. So get into your pajamas and get sleeping and you will feel great the next day.
You know how we always say that you can get a surprising amount of fitness on a horse with long bouts of walking? It’s no different for you, especially when you’re feeling unmotivated about doing a serious workout. There is no better therapy after a long stressful day than going for a walk, this could be walking the dog, going out with a partner, or if you are me, trying to catch your horse for 30 minutes a day. This is a great form of exercise and will also blow away all those cobwebs that have accumulated from spending too much time inside.
I’m a big fan of being able to work out where you are, whenever you can, so here are a handful of cardio exercises to get your blood pumping a little bit before the new year.
- Butt kicks. These will literally kick your butt — in a good way. Jog in place while kicking your heels backtowards your glutes. Make sure the movement is being driven from your hamstrings (not just your feet kicking up dust). Keep it up for a minute straight while picking up the pace.
- Basic burpee. This move is something we all loveto hate. Start in a low squat position with your hands on the floor. Then, kick your feet back to a push-up position and quickly return to the squat position. Last step: jump up as high as possible before squatting down again and jumping back into the next push-up position. Shoot for 10 strong reps.
- Lunge jump. The only thing more fun than a lungeis catching some air in between. Start standing with the feet together and lunge the right foot forward, bending the knee about 90-degrees. Then it gets fun: jump straight up, and while in the air, switch legs and land in a lunge with the left foot forward. Try for 8-10 reps (or as many as you can do without falling on your face).
- Jumping Jack planks. There are planks, and then there are planks with pop! Start in a traditional plank (shoulders over the wrists and the body in one straight line), but keep the feet together. Then, simply do jumping jacks with the legs, moving them out to the sides, then back together. Aim for 12-15 hops (out and in is one!).
And after all, you can ease back into your fitness in good time for the competition season. Think of yourself as a horse who’s had a few weeks off, you start with hacking out, then flatwork, then jumping, you never go cross country schooling on the first day back. Here’s to a healthier and fitter 2013!
