The holiday season is here. With it comes loads of delicious food. But as you’re enjoying memorable meals with family and friends, how do you keep your glucose levels in check?
Exercise helps lower your blood glucose. And if you have type 2 diabetes, the benefits of staying active don’t just stop at maintaining a healthy time in range. You’ll lower your blood pressure, keep your weight under control, raise healthy cholesterol and even reduce anxiety.
Don’t worry – you don’t need to hit the gym for two hours every day. Staying active includes all forms of exercise, like walking, running, hiking, yoga and even dancing.
Check out our list of creative ways to stay active during the holidays.
Tidying up gets your heart rate up
Need a simple way to get moving during the holidays? Start cleaning! If you haven’t already, start incorporating a cleaning task after mealtime. Activities like washing dishes, cleaning counters and sweeping after a big meal are great ways to stay active. If you have pets or messy kiddos, consider scheduling routine time in the morning and evening for cleaning.
Go for a brisk walk
Walking after eating is a great way to keep glucose in check. Don’t worry, you don’t have to power walk for an hour after every meal to reap the benefits. Just a 15-minute walk around your neighborhood will do the trick. Have a dog? You can take your fur friend with you or even schedule your meals around their daily walks.
Park further away
Do you usually opt for the closest parking spot you can find? It’s time to switch things up! Holiday shopping season is among us. Consider parking further away, it’ll make it easier to find parking and you’ll get some steps in! Pro tip: If you’re rocking a Fitbit activity tracker or similar app, use it to track your steps (and don’t forget to reward yourself for hitting those milestones).
Take a class
Being active is even better when you have a fun class to attend. Depending on your body’s needs, you can try dance or yoga. Are you looking to sweat? A dance class will get your heart rate up – plus there’s music! Yoga is a more relaxing way to connect with your body. Try a yoga class to help reduce anxiety, stress and strengthens muscles, along with promoting weight loss.
Get active with a family competition
Who doesn’t love a little friendly competition? Make getting active a family affair! If you have family or close friends visiting during the holidays, create a 3-4 day challenge where everyone can participate. Remind house guests to pack workout clothes and comfortable shoes. Challenge idea: set a goal to walk/run 1 mile every evening.
Participate in a holiday run
Whether it’s for a local charity or organization, fun running events are usually held around the holidays. From 5k to 10k runs, there’s something for every level of fitness. You also don’t have to run the entire event, walking is just fine. Ask a family member or friend to join in for extra motivation.
Which activity will you add to your routine this holiday season?
Oct. 11 2021