Hello runner friends!
Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series
MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!
Well.... how about changing up your exercise plans to combine movement with family time? You'll not only make memories but avoid some of the weight gain, mood swings and setbacks that come with taking time off from running. And since regular physical activity improves our mood we would do well to incorporate it into our holiday rituals and traditions.
So to help you and your family find more joy together during the holiday season, check out these 11 Christmas Activities from ACTIVEFORLIFE (with some modifications) that will help keep the holiday fit, festive, fun and full of excitement.
1. Harvest a real Christmas tree
There are plenty of good reasons to harvest a real tree instead of an artificial tree. Not only is it better for the environment but it makes for a fun active holiday tradition. Strolling through a Christmas tree farm and picking out that perfect tree is a magical experience for the entire family. It also gets the heart pumping, especially if you have to trudge through knee-high snow.
2. Join a local Santa Run
A Santa Run, Santa Shuffle, or Elf Walk is a fun holiday tradition for getting the whole family moving regardless of fitness level, age, or ability. Kids really enjoy Santa Runs--especially when they can wear fun Santa hats and enjoy hot cocoa at the end. If there’s no Santa Run near you, invite a couple of families and plan your own informal Santa Run around your neighborhood or nearby park.
There are plenty of good reasons to harvest a real tree instead of an artificial tree. Not only is it better for the environment but it makes for a fun active holiday tradition. Strolling through a Christmas tree farm and picking out that perfect tree is a magical experience for the entire family. It also gets the heart pumping, especially if you have to trudge through knee-high snow.
2. Join a local Santa Run
A Santa Run, Santa Shuffle, or Elf Walk is a fun holiday tradition for getting the whole family moving regardless of fitness level, age, or ability. Kids really enjoy Santa Runs--especially when they can wear fun Santa hats and enjoy hot cocoa at the end. If there’s no Santa Run near you, invite a couple of families and plan your own informal Santa Run around your neighborhood or nearby park.
3. Go ice skating on an indoor or outdoor rink
Strap on those skates for a fun family skating session. Skating is great physical activity for children. It helps them develop movement skills like coordination and balance, and gets their heart pumping too.
Strap on those skates for a fun family skating session. Skating is great physical activity for children. It helps them develop movement skills like coordination and balance, and gets their heart pumping too.
4. Swim at the pool or join a polar bear dip!
Take advantage of public swim times at your community indoor pool to splash in the water over the holiday season. Swimming is a whole body activity for all ages that’s great for coordination, strength, and cardio. It’s also a great opportunity for Mom or Dad to sneak in a much-needed moment of relaxation in the hot tub.
Take advantage of public swim times at your community indoor pool to splash in the water over the holiday season. Swimming is a whole body activity for all ages that’s great for coordination, strength, and cardio. It’s also a great opportunity for Mom or Dad to sneak in a much-needed moment of relaxation in the hot tub.
5. Enjoy a holiday lights walk
Most towns and cities have a neighborhood with eye-catching displays of holiday lights and decorations for everyone to enjoy. Instead of doing the typical holiday lights drive-by, find a spot to park your vehicle and enjoy a walk through the neighborhood instead. When your walk is done, head to a local coffee shop or home to enjoy a warm cup of tea or hot chocolate together.
6. Do an “active” act of kindness (this one’s my favorite)
The Christmas season is a wonderful time for showing kindness to those around us. Doing an “active” act of kindness is an opportunity to spread some holiday cheer while getting active as a family. Think of some physical activities that might be challenging for sick, disabled, or elderly people to do in winter weather. Here are some ideas: shoveling snow, spreading salt on walkways, taking a dog for a walk, and collecting the mail. Try to come up with some of your own “active” acts of kindness that you can do together as a family.
The Christmas season is a wonderful time for showing kindness to those around us. Doing an “active” act of kindness is an opportunity to spread some holiday cheer while getting active as a family. Think of some physical activities that might be challenging for sick, disabled, or elderly people to do in winter weather. Here are some ideas: shoveling snow, spreading salt on walkways, taking a dog for a walk, and collecting the mail. Try to come up with some of your own “active” acts of kindness that you can do together as a family.
7. Explore winter with an outdoor scavenger hunt
Winter is a magical time. Like every other season, there’s plenty to see and explore—you might just have to look a little closer. One great way to explore nature is by doing an outdoor scavenger hunt. This simple tool lets us slow down and appreciate the beauty of nature all around, whether it’s in a city, town or in the country. You can find a free winter scavenger hunt printable here.
8. Decorate an outdoor tree for wild animals
Winter can be a challenging season for wildlife and the holidays can be a great time to give them a helping hand. Try decorating an outdoor tree for wildlife or making homemade birdseed ornaments. Paired with popcorn garlands, birdseed ornaments can be hung on a small tree for birds to enjoy over the holiday season. Decorating an outdoor tree will encourage active time outdoors in a fun and unique way that your family will treasure.
9. Sled down a hill
One thing that we will have going for us this holiday season (if the weatherman is right) is snow! While the thought of bundling everyone up can be overwhelming enough to warrant staying indoors, time spent outside gives a big boost to our health and well-being, something we all need more of over the holidays.
10. Build a snowman, snow fort, or snow sculpture
Continuing with the snow theme, snow is also a great medium for building with and sculpting. Rolling big snowballs to make a snowman is a great workout, and so is building a snow fort. These activities offer opportunities to build strength and coordination, and to encourage creative play. If the snow is light and dry, pack a bunch of it into a big container, let it sit overnight, and tip it over in the morning. The snow should have hardened enough to make a nice snow carving block.
Continuing with the snow theme, snow is also a great medium for building with and sculpting. Rolling big snowballs to make a snowman is a great workout, and so is building a snow fort. These activities offer opportunities to build strength and coordination, and to encourage creative play. If the snow is light and dry, pack a bunch of it into a big container, let it sit overnight, and tip it over in the morning. The snow should have hardened enough to make a nice snow carving block.
11. Go on a outdoor winter picnic
Delicious food and the holidays go hand-in-hand, but one way to enjoy some tasty treats while getting in some active time outdoors is to go for an outdoor winter picnic. This can be as simple as bringing hot chocolate and cookies to enjoy at a park or hiking into nature and setting up a more elaborate picnic lunch in the woods. If your children are younger, bring food that’s easy to eat with mitts on (granola bars, sandwiches, muffins, carrots) so those little fingers don’t get too frosty. And don’t forget to bring along a picnic blanket to sit on!
So there you have it friends. By thinking a bit outside the box, you can combine fun, fitness, family, and festivities to make some amazing memories this Christmas. You might even find one of these activities to be so enjoyable that you make it a holiday tradition. But no matter what you do this holiday season, I hope that you'll remember the true meaning of Christmas and share it with your friends and family. Merry Christmas friends!
Happy Running!
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