Newsroom | Community Health

By Dr. Diane Homan, Senior Executive Medical Director, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois

There still are four weeks between now and New Year’s Day. It’s a busy time of year, but you don’t have to let your physical health fall by the wayside. It's a time filled with holiday meals, office parties and travel, but that doesn't mean you can't stay fit.

Here are five tips to make fitness part of the holiday season. 

1. Get out there — Watching a movie and baking cookies sounds appealing, but time outdoors does a body good. Go for a hike, lace up the ice skates, build a snowman or strap on a pair of snowshoes for a refreshing trek. Take your family members with you.
2. Challenge and reward yourself — Create your own challenge and choose a reward for accomplishing it. Maybe do yoga or walk for at least 30 minutes every day until the new year and then reward yourself with that fleece sweater you’ve been eyeing to keep you cozy during cold snaps.
3. Find a workout buddy — Rolling out of bed at 6 a.m. to head to the gym isn’t easy. But you’re less likely to skip it when you’re one half of a workout duo. Ask a friend or family member to be your holiday exercise buddy.
4. Make it official — Register the family for a fun Jingle Jog or New Year’s Day sprint. You never know, it could become a new family tradition.
5. Watch TV — If the weather outside is frightful, it’s okay to hang out in front of the TV. Find an online exercise program to get you moving for at least 30 minutes, or watch a 30-minute show and march in place or do some other light exercise during its entirety. 

^{The above material is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician. Physicians and other health care providers are encouraged to use their own best medical judgment based upon all available information and the condition of the patient in determining the best course of treatment.} 

^{Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association}