The holiday season is here and all three of my tennis teams are on hiatus until next year. So its tough to get in a workout that involves playing tennis. Or to get in any kind of workout at all.
What’s not so tough is cozying up under a fuzzy blanket with a cup of hot chocolate, a stack of sugar cookies and a long session on the couch watching the Tennis Channel. Or balancing a champagne glass in one hand and a plate of peel-and-eat shrimp in the other while taking a bite of marshmallow topped fudge at the office Christmas party (it can be done). Or deciding between Aunt Martha’s pecan pie, apple pie and Italian cream cake (better take all three so she’s not insulted). Are you having any of these problems? Because I sure am.
So I’ve got a fantastic idea. Instead of throwing all of our tennis fitness out the snow-covered window over the next few weeks, how about staying “fit to hit” over the holidays? Join me in putting these tennis fitness tips into action and we can be sure to be in amazing tennis shape and ready to hit the courts when tennis starts back up in 2013!
1. Schedule time for your workouts. Maybe during your “normal” life, you can keep up with some kind of “plan” and have a “regular” workout schedule. My normal life plan is to do something physical every day and I am usually able to pull this off when its not holiday-crazy time. But during the holidays, I realize my daily workout schedule may not . . . work out. Instead, I make a point to schedule in a workout at least every other day – no matter what. Even if it means doing something late in the day or in the evening. Even if it means getting in a 10 minute workout (more on that below) instead of a two hour tennis match. Do the same for yourself and your body will thank you later.
2. Choose some activity over no activity. While you may not be able to that 5 mile training run (that would be me) or that Body Pump class or that hour-and-a-half of hot yoga, any kind of workout beats no workout at all. So schedule some type of physical activity to keep your energy up and your stress down. How about a long walk in your neighborhood or a few extra laps around the shopping mall? Visit that gym or health club you rarely make time for when you’re playing league tennis and put in some miles on the treadmill. Or try a new fitness class and get friends and/or relatives to join in. Bikram yoga anyone (more on that also below)?
3. Keep it short and sweet. If your big complaint is you just don’t have enough time to work out, I’m sorry to tell you that there are tons of incredible workouts that can be done in no more than 10 minutes. No gym needed. No special equipment needed. Just you and your determination. I’ve pinned several of these to my “Tennis!” board on Pinterest so you can easily find them. Click here – Tennis Fixation’s “Tennis!” Pinterest board – to see them (and feel free to follow my board as I’m always searching for fun tennis things to pin). Not on Pinterest? Just Google “10 minute workout” and you’ll find a bunch.
4. Keep it interesting. Why not look at the havoc of the holidays as the perfect excuse for trying something different and fun? Ice skating might not be part of your usual routine but this is the most wonderful time of the year so give it a try. How about those fitness classes you’ve always wanted to drop in on? Give them a visit. I myself have finally done several Bikram yoga classes (aka hot yoga). I was able to fit them in only because my tennis teams are on break. The good news is I’m loving these new workouts! The bad news is I’m trying to figure out how I can play on three tennis teams, keep up my training for two more half marathons AND fit in three Bikram yoga classes each week. (Oh and I guess also take care of my family and keep up with my Tennis Fixation blog!)
5. Take care of yourself. It’s easy to get caught up in making sure everyone BUT you is happy over the holidays. But don’t shortchange yourself. Get plenty of beauty sleep. Keep the junk food to a minimum. And, above all, make the time to put these tennis fitness tips into action! You’ll definitely see the payoff when its back to tennis business as usual in January.
