Activities that Burn Calories While Preparing Holiday Meals

Trying to fit in a holiday workout between meal prep, meeting and greeting guests, making cocktails, and keeping the kids from upending the dinner table?

At times like these, it’s best to remember those sage words from a green-eared guru (and we don’t mean The Grinch): “Do – or do not – there is no try.”

To that end, the trainers at Fitness Together Ellicott City typically recommend fitting in a few extra sessions in the weeks before and after Christmas and New Year’s to help balance out any missed sessions.

Additionally, our studio will be open from [hours for Christmas and New Year’s weeks] so you can fit in some fitness early before the fun begins.

But, admittedly, that’s not always possible, as family arrives bright and early in the morning, or last-minute dashes to the store for necessities and Uncle Al’s favorite beverage become necessary.

But don’t stress. There are still plenty of activities that burn calories you can jury-rig amid the holiday madness.

Consider the following three activities that burn calories that you can do right in your kitchen.

1. Meat & greet: Transform that foil turkey pan or maybe even the roaster oven into a makeshift medicine ball and work your legs and glutes. Supporting the pan with your forearms, do eight rounds of 20-second squats, resting for 10 seconds in between.
2. Countertop pushups: Work your chest, triceps, shoulders, and core by doing modified pushups against the kitchen counter. Placing your hands wide apart, bring your torso toward the counter for a quick whiff of that pumpkin puree, then push backward.
3. Curls Have a can-do attitude. Grab a non-perishable in each hand and stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. With knees bent, arms hanging at your side, and palms forward, curl the cans upwards until facing your shoulders. Slowly lower and repeat. (Not eat. Not yet.)

The Fitness Together Ellicott City family wishes you and yours the happiest holiday season. Remember, our studio is open in the days before and after the holidays to help you stay on track.