​

Financial Samurai

Slicing Through Money's Mysteries

  • About
  • Invest In Real Estate
  • Top Financial Products
    • Free Wealth Management
    • Negotiate A Severance
  • Buy This, Not That (Bestseller)

Five Creative Holiday Workouts To Get In Better Shape

Updated: 12/30/2020 by Financial Samurai 15 Comments

Muscles

Have you gained weight during the pandemic? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Millions of people have gained weight due to being stuck at home. Here are five creative holiday workouts to get in better shap.

Ah, the holidays are great for spending time with family, wearing ugly sweaters, and shoving enough shrimp cocktail, turkey, ham, cheese, fruitcake, cookies, Australian wagyu beef and more into our pie holes to make Homer Simpson blush. It’s the holidays! We can eat as much as we want! ‘Tis the season for eating guilt-free. Or is it?

I wouldn’t dare suggest that you or I should maybe put that 6th cookie back on the plate but maybe, just maybe, these 5 creative holiday workouts can help us to sneak in a few extra ways to burn off some of the excess calories we will be ingesting over this holiday season.

TOP FIVE CREATIVE HOLIDAY WORKOUTS

#1 The Sneaky “Family Time” Workout

The only thing worse than refusing a second helping of Grandma’s cornbread pudding is refusing a second helping of Grandma’s cornbread pudding and then telling everyone that you are “off to workout”. The dirty looks that you will get from your not so dedicated family members that are still busy shoveling in seconds and thirds can be amusing but a difficulty that you should avoid if at all possible.

Rather than ditching the family to go workout, instead suggest a game of football, soccer, or basketball with the whole family. Be sure to give any family member not up for some “good ‘ol fashioned family time outdoors” your best look of disappointment.

#2 The “Challenge” Workout

Choosing a goal of some kind that requires physical activity to accomplish is a great way to not only have some fun working out but also to give yourself some added motivation. Choose a fitness challenge and then see where you stack up!

Ideally, you want to be the ideal weight so you can live as long as possible.

#3 The “I Want to Look Like Them” Workout

If you are a guy that was dragged by your significant other to watch the newest Twilight movie (or maybe you wanted to go but hey, whatever – we aren’t judging you here… really…) then you can at least appreciate the hard work that went into leading boy/man Taylor Lautner’s gaining an extra 30 pounds of muscle for his role.

While your motivation to have otherworldly 6 pack abs like Mr Lautner is riding high, start following the Taylor Lautner workout routine. If it doesn’t interfere with your runs to the store for more hot chocolate to dunk your cookies into that is. Of course.

As an added benefit, Mr Lautner’s diet plan is actually perfect for the holidays.  He comments, “[I was] doubling the amount of calorie intake I had before, which was just really tough, eating every two hours,” he explained. “It was the hardest part for sure.” Oh yeah!! “Honey, bring out the third round of dessert. Hurry, it’s almost been 2 hours!”…

The secret to a happy life is to find a loving partner!

#4 The “Punish Yourself” Workout

Sometimes you just need to really pay some penance for your holiday eating habits. When you have been naughty rather than nice at the holiday dinner table then you need a workout like the 300 workout or the Navy Seal workout to atone for your calorie misdeeds.

#5 The “Video Game” Workout

OK, we are really scraping the bottom of the barrel here but for those of us lazy, ahem, I mean “ultra-relaxed” folks who just can’t get out from in front of a TV screen for more than a few minutes then this is the workout for you.

Break out the Wii or the Kinect and just start moving around. Seriously, your family is worried about your health. Just get off the couch, grab the controller, and start moving your body parts around. No really, we are talking to you. Wait, how did you just bowl a strike without even getting up from the recliner… Oh well…

Related: The Healthiest Foods

RECOMMENDATIONS

Looking to find affordable term life insurance? Check out PolicyGenius, an independent insurance broker that is revolutionizing the way we shop for life insurance – for free! Answer a few simple questions on PolicyGenius’s website and instantly receive free, personalized and comprehensive life insurance quotes. 

PolicyGenius provides free, unbiased advice on more than 25 A-rated top life insurance companies they have thoroughly researched and vetted. Because life insurance prices are regulated, you don’t have to worry about not getting the best deals. PolicyGenius helps you compare the best quotes all in one place.

Need affordable health insurance fast? Take a look at the plans offered on Agile Health Insurance. They offer term coverage for as little as $1.50/day with premiums up to 50% less than Obamacare (ACA) plans. There are no lock-out periods so you can enroll any time of year, get immediate approval and get coverage in as little as 24 hours. AgileHealthInsurance also offers broader doctor networks than most Obamacare plans and has customizable options for dental and discounts on prescriptions. Find a plan that works for you today.

Updated for 2021 and beyond.

Tweet
Share
Pin
Flip
Share
Buy this not that instant bestseller Wall Street journal banner

Filed Under: Health & Fitness

Author Bio: I started Financial Samurai in 2009 to help people achieve financial freedom sooner. Financial Samurai is now one of the largest independently run personal finance sites with about one million visitors a month.

I spent 13 years working at Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse. In 1999, I earned my BA from William & Mary and in 2006, I received my MBA from UC Berkeley.

In 2012, I left banking after negotiating a severance package worth over five years of living expenses. Today, I enjoy being a stay-at-home dad to two young children, playing tennis, and writing.

Order a hardcopy of my new WSJ bestselling book, Buy This, Not That: How To Spend Your Way To Wealth And Freedom. Not only will you build more wealth by reading my book, you’ll also make better choices when faced with some of life’s biggest decisions.

Current Recommendations:

1) Check out Fundrise, my favorite real estate investing platform. I’ve personally invested $810,000 in private real estate to take advantage of lower valuations and higher cap rates in the Sunbelt. Roughly $160,000 of my annual passive income comes from real estate. And passive income is the key to being free.

2) If you have debt and/or children, life insurance is a must. PolicyGenius is the easiest way to find affordable life insurance in minutes. My wife was able to double her life insurance coverage for less with PolicyGenius. I also just got a new affordable 20-year term policy with them.

Subscribe To Private Newsletter

Comments

  1. Miss T @ Prairie Eco-Thrifter says

    December 13, 2011 at 1:48 pm

    What I do over the holidays is bring a pair of workout clothes to my families houses and fit in a short workout while I am there. If that isn’t an option than I encourage something everyone can do, like a cross country skii or a walk. Great ideas Sam.

    Reply
  2. Rain Wilber says

    December 13, 2011 at 11:34 am

    “We can eat as much as we want! ‘Tis the season for eating guilt-free. Or is it?”

    … I’d feel guilty if I put anything that was formerly a moving animal spirit that had flesh on it, into my spiritual body.

    Reply
    • Avenger2354 says

      December 14, 2011 at 6:00 am

      Sister, you have not lived until you’ve eaten a big bowl of Venison chilli, or a few Sloppy Does. I can feel the spirit of the wild moving through my spiritual body as I type this words. Where’s my Ted Nugent playlist…

      Reply
      • Avenger2354 says

        December 14, 2011 at 6:01 am

        *** these *** not this!

        Reply
      • Rain Wilber says

        December 14, 2011 at 7:43 am

        I have. Although, maybe the bowl wasn’t that big ;) .
        Anyways, I shouldn’t have said anything in the first place.
        Not really my place to be bringing up anyways!
        I do wish that people stay happy however that is.

        Reply
  3. JR says

    December 13, 2011 at 7:14 am

    Excellent ideas all! Get moving with the kids at the age appropriate level is always good- as long as they are willing, of course. I would also like to add (along w/ the challenge idea, and the P90X theme) my personal favorite: FitDeck. Available online, w/ like 30+ versions including Junior through Senior. Inexpensive and they make a great gift.

    Reply
  4. Elle says

    December 12, 2011 at 5:37 pm

    Love the family football game ideas. I’d like to recommend the spending time with your kid workout. I play with the baby and get some exercises in, like the flying baby routine that lets me to some reverse crunches. It’s fun and I lost a few pounds doing that in a couple of weeks.

    Reply
  5. My University Money says

    December 11, 2011 at 9:03 pm

    I like to get up and go for a walk after the big Christmas meals. Sure it’s not even close to my usual workouts, but a brisk 30 minute walk is still something to offset the calories (for me the weight gain is almost inevitable because of how much I love food, I just try to limit it as much as possible, and then running 5 days a week after the holidays). The cool air also helps negate the sleepy feeling that accompanies turkey!

    Reply
  6. krantcents says

    December 11, 2011 at 5:04 pm

    The best sneaky workout is never sitting down except to eat. That may be unnecessary if the food is served is buffet style. We are visiting friends Christmas Eve and I plan on filling up on shrimp! It stops me from eating the candy, cookies and cakes. You have to pick and choose what you eat or over eat. :)

    Reply
  7. Jon - Free Money Wisdom says

    December 11, 2011 at 4:23 pm

    Great ideas! My fiancee and I are on a no-sugar, no carb diet. Meat and veggies! We will be cheating on Christmas eve/day, but we’re limiting ourselves. Our goal is to be ripped by our honeymoon.

    Reply
    • Financial Samurai says

      December 11, 2011 at 5:09 pm

      No sugar is KEY! Seriously, sugar is killer número UNO!

      Reply
  8. Brandy says

    December 11, 2011 at 3:09 pm

    I am afraid I will eat like Taylor and not exercise like him! :)

    Reply
    • Financial Samurai says

      December 11, 2011 at 5:09 pm

      Lol, k. No food for you then!

      Reply
  9. Jerry says

    December 11, 2011 at 2:46 pm

    I’ve been working out at home for a while. I used to have a membership with my old job and they provided me with a break on my insurance premium. I’m no longer with that job but want to keep up with my fitness and it can be done at home. I use Tony Horton’s P90X and it’s an amazing workout that leads to results.

    Reply
  10. Untemplater says

    December 11, 2011 at 8:49 am

    I like challenge workouts! It’s fun to try and beat each other and your own records too. I used to like video game workouts but I don’t play games anymore so I never bought a wii. What I’m doing now is taking Bollywood dance classes which I recently wrote about on my site. It’s so much fun and doesn’t feel like “working” out which I love! ps- great pic! Woah that guy is huge!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


n
n

Top Product Reviews

  • Fundrise review (real estate investing)
  • Policygenius review (life insurance)
  • CIT Bank review (high interest savings and CDs)
  • NewRetirement review (retirement planning)
  • Personal Capital review (free financial tools and wealth manager)
  • How To Engineer Your Layoff (severance negotiation book)

Financial Samurai Featured In

Buy this not that Wall Street journal bestseller

Categories

  • Automobiles
  • Big Government
  • Budgeting & Savings
  • Career & Employment
  • Credit Cards
  • Credit Score
  • Debt
  • Education
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Family Finances
  • Gig Economy
  • Health & Fitness
  • Insurance
  • Investments
  • Mortgages
  • Most Popular
  • Motivation
  • Podcast
  • Product Reviews
  • Real Estate
  • Relationships
  • Retirement
  • San Francisco
  • Taxes
  • Travel
Buy this not that WSJ bestseller 728
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
Copyright © 2009–2023 Financial Samurai · Read our disclosures

PRIVACY: We will never disclose or sell your email address or any of your data from this site. We do highly welcome posts and community interaction, and registering is simply part of the posting system.
DISCLAIMER: Financial Samurai exists to thought provoke and learn from the community. Your decisions are yours alone and we are in no way responsible for your actions. Stay on the righteous path and think long and hard before making any financial transaction! Disclosures