We are officially less than 3 weeks away from Christmas *gulp* and it's the time of year when a lot of people start to let their fitness habits slide.

Does this sound familiar?

"I'll just push the workout to tomorrow..." *feels guilty*

"I missed my workout today because I my kids had a holiday concert after school."

"I can't find time to fit in a workout with these year-end deadlines at work."

"It's SO FREAKING DARK outside and I feel like hibernating for the next month."

The last one is totally me BTW.

I get it. It's challenging to prioritize movement into your day when you're being pulled in so many different directions at the same time.

SO I have a few tips to help you keep up some movement through to the end of 2021.

1. Mindset Shift

Why is being active (and keeping active) important to you? Is it because you are trying to counterbalance some of those holiday indulgences? Or is it because it helps you support your mental health during a stressful time of year? If the reason why you want to keep active involves an extrinsic factor - like avoiding weight gain - you’re less likely to maintain motivation than if the reason why you want to keep active involves an intrinsic factor - like focusing on your mental health.

This shift in MINDSET about about what the purpose of exercise was for me as a mom was huge. When I started to make these shifts I was able to be OK with my kids interrupting me or not finishing the entire workout as planned because I had still moved my body. I let that be enough.

THIS is the mindset shift I will teach you in The STRONG Motherhood Collective

This virtual group coaching program starts January 9, 2023 and includes:

• Three planned-for-you workouts per week delivered to you via my effortless app. These 20-30min workouts are tailored for your body - whether pregnant, postpartum, or parenting - and you can squeeze them in whenever it works best for you.

• Weekly email check-in by myself to SUPPORT you throughout the week even when we aren’t exercising live together.

• A community of other moms who are experiencing similar struggles through pregnancy, postpartum or the early years of parenting​

• The option of additional monthly 1-on-1 sessions to get specific guidance on your body’s needs

• Additional monthly LIVE virtual group workout on the first Saturday of each month to get some live coaching and specific guidance on your body’s needs

Enrolment is open now if you are looking for support beyond the holiday season!

2. Move Earlier in the Day (If Possible)

You’re more likely to move your body earlier in the day before other commitments pop up (because they always will). This isn’t about whether it’s better to workout in the morning or the evening - this is about when you are going to have the time to schedule it into your day. This is the time of year for extra family gatherings, kids’ recitals or holiday plays, and year end deadlines at work.

Personally, if I don't do it first thing in the morning the likeliness of it happening is pretty slim. So as effing dark as it is in the morning in Canada at this time of year, I begrudgingly roll out of my cocoon ball of blankets and pillows, turn on all the lights and make my way downstairs to the kitchen for my pre-workout supplement caffeine boost.

3. Aim for Short, But Effective Workouts

If finding time to fit in activity during the week is challenging, keep your activities shorter in duration and higher in intensity. 20-30min of HIIT (high intensity interval training) or exercises involving multiple muscle groups can be very effective in giving your body that boost of feel good hormones without spending a lot of time.

Head over to my Instagram feed for tons of quick workouts that can be done at your local park while the kids are playing or in the warmth of your own home with minimal equipment.

4. Have Fun!

Pick some winter activities you like! Being active doesn’t mean always having to do structured strength training or cardio workouts. Try going to an outdoor skating rink, heading to the mountains for some downhill skiing, snowboarding, x-country skiing or snowshoeing. Or find a local tobogganing hill, build a snowman or have a snowball fight! The fresh air is an added bonus!

Give one - or all - of these tips a try when you approach physical activity in the next few weeks and let go of some of your expectations about what you think exercise should be.

Here’s to a fun and active holiday season!