3 Fast, Easy Christmas Day Workouts
Limit the damage from eating high amounts of calories by squeezing in a Christmas Day workout.
Ben Greenfield
by Ben Greenfield
In a recent article, I introduced the concept of “limiting the damage” from eating high amounts of calories. And while the nutrition strategies and supplements outlined in that article can certainly come in handy, it’s useful to have a few quick exercise tools up your sleeve to squeeze in a few Christmas Day workouts anywhere, anytime.
So when you feel stuffed full of egg nog, turkey, mashed potatoes, and holiday cookies (or even better, before that feeling occurs—since exercise is a potent appetite suppressant), you can politely excuse yourself and find a quiet corner in the house or step outside for any of the following:
- 50 “Air” Deadlifts—The deadlift is a traditional full-body weight training exercise. Here’s what it looks like. But since you may not have a barbell hanging around your house this holiday season, just pretend you’re holding the barbell. I like to get low enough so that when I’m squatting down I can get my hands on the floor—the greater the range of
motion, the more calories you’ll burn. - 50 Mountain Climbers—This quick exercise (video here) will boost your heart rate while also working your upper body and abs. Do them fast if you can, but you’ll still get benefit even if you’re so full of holiday cheer that you need to do them slowly.
- 25 Lunge Jumps—Not for the faint of heart, this exercise (video here) will keep your legs burning and heart rate elevated for a long time after you finish. Try to jump as high as you can and if you really want to make things tough, hold a light set of dumbbells as you churn these out.
motion, the more calories you’ll burn.If you have more questions about fast Christmas workouts you can squeeze in anywhere, ask away at the Get-Fit Guy Facebook page. And if you enjoyed this article, you should check out these fast 10 minute workout routines!
Christmas Fitness Sport Woman from Shutterstock
About the Author
Ben Greenfield received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from University of Idaho in sports science and exercise physiology; personal training and strength and conditioning certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA); a sports nutrition certification from the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN), an advanced bicycle fitting certification from Serotta. He has over 11 years’ experience in coaching professional, collegiate, and recreational athletes from all sports, and as helped hundreds of clients achieve weight loss and fitness success.