CHRISTMAS IS THE TIME FOR INDULGENCE, FROM YOUR FAVOURITE ONCE-A-YEAR FOODS TO LONG DAYS AND WARM SUMMER NIGHTS SPENT WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS. HOWEVER, ONE OF THE BEST GIFTS YOU CAN GIVE YOURSELF THIS CHRISTMAS IS GOOD HEALTH AND FITNESS.
GemLife Health and Lifestyle Coordinator Josh Kristensen has some great tips so you can enjoy the holiday spirit and the great Aussie summer.
Advent exercise
Christmas is a very busy time of the year, so it can be difficult to prioritise exercise, especially when there is shopping, decorating and family events to consider. So why not make exercise part of the holiday tradition?
On 24 slips of paper, write down a variety of fitness activities you enjoy doing – it can be 30 minutes in the pool, Christmas carolling across the resort, a walk on the beach, 30 minutes of trying a new sport or 30 minutes of mixing up your regular routine at the gym – and put them in a jar.
From 1 December to Christmas Eve, pull out a piece of paper and do that activity on that day. Who said exercise can’t be fun?
Dashing through the dunes
Christmas in summertime means the sun is up early and goes to bed later. Exercise is usually the last thing on your mind in the middle of a scorching day, so take advantage of the extra daylight and enjoy a sunrise or a sunset stroll. How about gathering the family or a group of friends for a game of beach cricket?
Rockin’ around the Christmas tree
Since everyone is getting into the holiday spirit, use it to your advantage! Christmas parties give you the opportunity to get up and dance. Instead of taking a buggy to events at the Country Club, consider walking there and back. Plan a festive dance party with your younger grandchildren and join in. You might be surprised by the cardio workout you get.
Festive feast
In addition to exercise, good nutrition is also important during the Christmas and New Year’s season. While you should certainly enjoy sampling the treats on offer, don’t forget to take advantage of the delicious seasonal produce available during the summer. Rich red cherries and green grapes are definitely festive themed, but also enjoy in-season stone fruit as well as flavoursome summer salads.
Who’s been naughty and nice?
You should be! Don’t deny yourself some treats of the season, just remember to keep everything in moderation. Nutritionists suggest prioritising protein on your plate, along with vegetables to satiate your hunger before you tuck into the fruit mince pies, chocolates and gingerbread treats.
Joy to the world
Keeping fit doesn’t necessarily mean spending hours in the gym. Walking through the shopping centres preparing for Christmas will add steps to your count, but if you’re looking to avoid the drama of overcrowded car parks, then head out into nature where ‘all is calm and all is mild’. If the stress of the season is beginning to get to you, reconnecting with nature will bring back joy to your world. There are great walks within a short distance of your GemLife resort that you can introduce your family to.
Sleigh some new goals
As we know, grandparents, especially granddads, often play a special role during Christmas. Playing Santa involves a lot of bending, lifting, and active interaction with excited children.
To be the best Santa, I encourage you to maintain your strength and mobility year-round. Engage in gentle strength training and stretching to ensure you embody the spirit of Santa with ease.
Remember to stay active and healthy during the summer holiday season as a gift to yourself and your loved ones. It’s a way of expressing gratitude for the year gone by and looking forward to the year ahead.
Wishing you all a joyful and active holiday season under the Australian sun!
Josh Kristenson
Health & Lifestyle Coordinator
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