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It’s time for another episode of the Tennis Quick Tips podcast. In this episode, I give you my very best tips for staying “tennis fit” over the holidays. You can listen in on this episode by clicking on the gray media player above, by subscribing in iTunes, or by listening with your favorite podcast app. An edited version of the transcript is given below so you can read along (or just read it for notes or more information if you’d like).
TRANSCRIPT:
Here we are, deep into the holiday season and, if you’re anything like me, your tennis teams are on hiatus and your matches are few and far between. It’s the time of year when just getting in a workout, let alone a three hour match, come be tough.
Unfortunately, what’s not so tough is cozying up under a warm and 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. I promise you – it can be done. Or deciding between Aunt Martha’s pecan pie, apple pie and Italian cream cake. And maybe you 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 the new year! Here we go:
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 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 get in that 5 mile training run 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.
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 Workouts and Fitness” board on Pinterest so you can easily find them. I’ll put a link in the show notes to this episode so you can see them. Not on Pinterest? Just Google “10 minute workout” and you’ll find a whole bunch of great routines.
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.
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.
So those are my best tips for staying tennis fit throughout the holiday season. What about you? How are you staying in tennis shape right now? Add your comment to the below and let me know.
RESOURCES:
Tennis Fixation’s “Workouts and Fitness” Board on Pinterest
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Happy Holidays! And, as always, Happy Tennis!
© Kim Selzman 2013 All Rights Reserved