Take a break with a podcast walk

Sometimes the best way to stay active is to take it slow. Grab your headphones, pick a favourite podcast, and head out for a leisurely walk. It’s a refreshing way to clear your mind, keep moving, and enjoy some personal time without any pressure.

Organise walks with friends & family

Staying active doesn’t have to be a solo endeavour. Organise casual walks with friends or family during holiday gatherings. It’s a gentle, enjoyable way to stay moving, catch up and bond without the intensity of a formal workout.

Be kind to yourself & embrace flexibility

The festive period can be a time to ease up on rigid fitness goals and just enjoy yourself. Allow for shorter or lighter workouts when you can—whether it’s a quick HIIT, some Pilates, or yoga on YouTube. Staying active doesn’t mean being hard on yourself; it can be a perfect time to recharge, rest, and focus on gentle, enjoyable movement.

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Use habit stacking to stay consistent

One of the easiest ways to stay fit over Christmas is by using habit stacking to keep your healthy routines alive. For example, if you have a daily habit of making a coffee first thing, stack a simple bodyweight exercise like squats while the kettle boils. Tying your fitness habits to daily actions you already do will make it more likely that you’ll keep moving, even with the festive distractions.

Prepare your environment to avoid temptation

Christmas time often brings indulgent treats into your home, which can make sticking to your fitness goals a challenge. Take control by preparing your environment to support healthy choices. Keep nutritious snacks like fruit, nuts or pre-cut veggies in easy-to-reach places, and consider storing indulgent items out of sight. This way, you’re more likely to reach for healthier options and maintain balance in your diet.

Be selective with social occasions

December is full of social events, many of which revolve around eating and drinking. To avoid overindulging, be intentional about which gatherings will be your ‘off-piste’ days, where you relax and enjoy the festivities guilt free. For the rest, stick to healthier choices, and perhaps even suggest more active outings, like a walk or bike ride. This approach helps you enjoy the season without compromising your fitness progress.

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Turn household tasks into a workout

Cleaning can be surprisingly effective for fitness. Put some energy into scrubbing, sweeping and vacuuming, and you’ll be working your upper body, legs and core.

Use stairs as your secret workout tool

When you’re at home or out shopping, take the stairs whenever possible. Just 5-10 minutes of climbing can give your heart rate a nice boost and strengthen your legs without needing any equipment or planning.

Invest in a foam roller

Foam rolling requires minimal effort but keeps your muscles feeling fresh and prevents stiffness. Spend a few minutes rolling out any tension; it feels more like a massage than a workout, making it perfect for a low-effort fitness boost.

Carry a mini resistance band for quick workouts

A resistance band is small enough to pack in your bag or keep by the sofa, so it’s easy to squeeze in mini workouts during Christmas TV marathons. Try a few banded squats, glute bridges or lateral leg raises to keep muscles active without needing much space or time.

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Partner up

Keeping yourself accountable with either a training partner or a coach will be the easiest way to keep on top of your training. Training should be fun and enjoyable, and the easiest way to achieve this is by training with likeminded others. My advice? Book into a class with a structured programme with a friend.

Rely on momentum over motivation

With the Christmas period being a busy and sociable time, there can often be a lull in motivation. Focus on banking 3-4 quality training sessions a week which'll keep the momentum flowing. Pro tip: plan your non-negotiable training time a week in advance. Carving out the time to train will ensure you don't miss a beat.

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Commit to one physical gym session 

For a bit of peace of mind, I make time for one proper gym session. Knowing I’ve put in a little extra effort makes it easier to relax and enjoy some festive treats. This balance helps me stay on track with my fitness goals while also allowing myself to be fully present and enjoy the Christmas season.

Keep moving throughout the day 

Instead of forcing a workout, I just aim for steady movement. I keep a goal of 5-10k steps daily, whether that’s walking around the house, popping outside, or even pacing while on calls. It keeps my energy up and metabolism ticking, but it’s flexible enough to fit around Christmas plans.

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Sweat in the morning

Sweating in the morning maximises the benefit for both body and mind. Exercise or stretch, or even just tap into the nervous system by taking a hot bath followed by a cold shower – this is a great way to floss the nervous system, feel calmer, and be more mentally at ease throughout the day. Try to get your body out in the sunlight as soon as possible in the morning to help switch on and engage the nervous system. Your body will thank you for it and this positive response to exercise will make it a sustainable habit to keep up throughout the festive period.

Incorporate movement into a lazy TV marathon 

Doing some gentle stretches while you’re sitting on the floor watching your favourite Christmas films is a super easy way to inject some fitness benefits into a lazy day. You could use that reclined opportunity to get a massage ball to roll out tight muscles.

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