Routine is the single most important part of staying fit. If you want to maintain your workouts, schedule a time for exercise into your day, and don’t make any exceptions. If you’re a morning person, schedule your workout every morning. If you tend to sleep late, then perhaps just after lunch works better for you. Whatever schedule you choose, stick to it.
Evaluate your available resources when you get home. It’s unlikely that you have a full gym in your basement. Maybe you have an exercise bike or treadmill, but nothing like you had at college. That doesn’t mean you can’t stay fit, you’ll just have to problem solve, at least to some extent. Check out your area and see if there’s a gym you can join. If there is, go there everyday, and try to keep your workout similar to what you did while at school.
If there isn’t a gym, look into local high schools or community centers. They might not have a full gym, but a piece of equipment and a track to run on might suffice. Still no luck? Jog around your neighborhood or even around the house if your parents don’t mind. If neither of these suggestions are feasible, then search out your local mall. Many malls have walker programs in the mornings, and some of these people even jog, so you won’t be too out of place.
If your fitness routine included the lifting of weights, then improvise. If you can purchase some cheap weights at the local sporting good store, you’ll at least have something to use while you wait to return to college. If you cannot purchase weights, look around the house. Ask your parents if they have any work done that requires heavy lifting. Or, if you have smaller siblings, they might work well as weights, if they’ll consent. This way, you can spend time with your younger family members and still stay fit.
Cycling is a great way to stay fit over winter break. If you live in a climate where you can cycle outside, purchase a good quality bike to store at your parents’ house. You can then use it every time you come home, not just on winter break. For those living in cooler climates, exercise bikes have come down drastically in price, and many can be folded up or disassembled and stored when not in use.
When it comes to outdoor activities during winter break, the weather does indeed become a factor. If you live in a warmer climate, then football, baseball, or just running around with your younger siblings in the yard might be enough to keep you fit and trim for college. In cooler climates, sledding and skating are both excellent activities. If motivation is a problem, ask a friend or family member to join you every day. Some of your high school friends might be glad of the opportunity.
Staying active during winter break, without access to your college gym, can be a challenge. However, if you make exercise a part of your winter break regimen and you don’t let yourself just laze about, you’ll return to college fit and ready for life on campus.
