Christmas is making its merry way closer, which means colder days, darker nights and busier diaries –and these seasonal stoppers can make it tempting to put our activity plans on ice. And yet, something that has the power to improve our mood, help us sleep better, give us more energy and reduce our stress levels is probably much needed at this time of year.
Our Slimming World groups are full of bright ideas for ways to keep moving through winter, expert support to help you overcome your personal challenges and simple strategies for getting started – or taking your fitness to the next level.
Our unique Body Magic programme is the only fitness plan that digs into the psychology of exercise, ensuring that you feel supported to get active at a pace that suits you and that you’ll enjoy. And, as well as bringing a long list of amazing health and wellbeing benefits, activity – combined with our Food Optimising eating plan – has been proven to help maintain weight loss long term, so you can continue to feel fantastic long after Christmas has been and gone.
Here are some top tips for getting started with activity – and sticking to it come snow or shine!
What’s your festive fitness barrier?
Barrier: I don’t have the right kit
Top tip: Start simple
You’ll get lots of ideas in your Slimming World group for activities that don’t require a trip to a fitness superstore.
A winter walk is an easy way to weave more movement into your week, and it’s something that you don’t need any special sporting gear for. As long as you’re comfortable, you’re good to go. A quick weather check will tell you whether you’ll want to grab your waterproofs, and if you’re planning an after-work walk (or jog or bike ride) reflective clothing and lights will help you to stay safe.
Our Man of the Year 2021, Ken McLeod dug out his gloves and hat to stay snug during a bracing seafront walk.
Barrier: I’m too tired
Top tip: Buddy up
Planning to exercise with an encouraging friend can really boost our commitment and provide the extra shot of motivation we all need from time to time. Making an activity date is just one of the ‘foot out of the door’ strategies you’ll learn in a Slimming World group – we’ve got simple solutions for every stopper, and weekly support will help you put them into practice.
Slimming World Consultant Siobhan (@slimmingworldtipp) enjoys running with friends– which has the added benefit of increasing visibility on darker mornings and evenings.
Barrier: I find exercise boring
Top tip: Try something new
If boredom’s a barrier for you, banish it by doing something different. A mix-and-match approach will also make it easier to work your whole body and maximise the health benefits – and it will also increase your chance of finding an activity you really love and will want to stick to.
Our target member Lizzie (@thin_lizzie_sw) has fallen head over heels for hula-hooping, which helps her to maintain her 3st 8½lbs weight loss:
Your get-fit tool kit of Slimming World support
When you join Slimming World, you’ll also get access to an online library packed with everything you need to guide, inspire and motivate you. It includes:
On-demand activity videos
Our collection of 66 exercise videos has been carefully created to:
- cover a wide range of abilities and fitness levels – from gentle getting-started exercises to 30-minute workouts
- iinclude both standing and seated workouts
- offer four different styles of activity – balance and flexibility, cardio, strength-building and dance
- link up with Body Magic awards – you can choose workouts that last five, 10, 15 or 30 minutes (depending on your personal motivation, which award you’re working towards and how much time you have that day)
Try a dance workout here
FIT log
This brilliant motivational tool allows you to track your activity achievements, think deeply about what might get in the way of your progress and put strategies in place to help you overcome those challenges.
Fitness features
Our helpful articles cover everything from easy-to-follow exercise guides and activity ideas to practical advice to help you break through your Body Magic barriers.
Activity tracker
A place to record all your achievements and chart your progress towards your next Body Magic award.
Slimming World podcast
Consultant Anna and member Clare chat strategies to get you on the move, share tips that will help you build up your activity levels and debunk some of the common myths and misconceptions about exercise.
Barrier: I’m too busy
Top tip: Do something that fits into your day
If an activity slots easily into our week, it’s more likely that we’ll do it regularly – and that’s is how exercise becomes a lasting habit. Just as our Food Optimising plan will help you make easy changes to the way you shop, cook and eat, our Body Magic activity programme will help you find enjoyable, achievable and sustainable ways of building fitness into your routine. And that doesn’t have to mean scheduling a gym session or committing to a class. Whether it’s a lunchtime lap around the block, energetic games with the kids or giving the cleaning an extra bit of welly, every bit of movement adds up to a more active lifestyle.
Target member Kerry (@wee.pals_positive_sw_journey) fits lots of walking into her working day, which helps her maintain her 6st weight loss:
Barrier: I don’t know where to begin
Top tip: Start small
Full-on fitness plans can feel overwhelming, especially if you have a lot on your plate – so don’t worry about racing ahead before you’re ready. Our Body Magic programme has been carefully designed to help you take a step-by-step approach to moving more and working towards the awards is a great way to build activity levels slowly and steadily, with support and encouragement all the way.
Suzie (@init_for the_longrun) is getting back into fitness at her own pace, starting with slow walks and short runs.
Barrier: Christmastime is family time
Top tip: Get them involved!
For many of us, family is a big focus at this time of year – and what better way to spend time with your loved ones than by doing something active together? If you’ve got excited children (or grown-ups!) counting down the days, planning some activities for the Christmas break will help make the wait that bit more bearable, and help you feel those Body Magic benefits while having lots of festive fun.
If you’d love to be more active and you’re struggling with stoppers, we can help. Whatever your barriers, we’ll work with you to find a way to break them down – so you can enjoy those brilliant Body Magic benefits and lead an active lifestyle that you’ll love!
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