The 5th Day of Christmas with Clare Smith–Peak 313 Fitness
Welcome to the 7th annual 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways!!!
12 Days.
12 friends guest posting sharing a Christmas idea, recipe or favorite with you.
12 great giveaways for you to enter along with one GRAND PRIZE for someone who comments to enter all 12 days!!
On this 5th Day of Christmas, I am clapping for Clare Smith as she comes to our holiday fitness rescue! Clare lives with her husband and 2 children in Northeast Ohio. She has her bachelor’s degree in business management and left a promising career to be a stay-at-home mom to her children. She is a certified fitness instructor and teaches pilates and group fitness classes at her church and local university. Clare’s passion (outside of raising and nurturing her children and home) is motivating women of all ages and stages of life to live well physically, emotionally and spiritually. Visit her at Peak313!
Now, for Clare’s idea….
“In a Hustle” Holiday Workout and Hoppin’ Holiday Workout Playlist! I know that this time of year is CRAZY! We have extra parties to attend, shopping to fit in, Christmas cards to address, and volunteering to be done, so one of the first things we tend to leave out is our workout!
Many of you are determined to keep this in check thanks to our holiday challenge, “21 days to a Hunger-Free (& Healthy!) Holiday “, but for those of you who need some additional motivation, maybe this will help!
You’ve heard many times that quick, intense workouts do a great job in regards to your health–and I’ve found this to be true in my own life! Sometimes you just can’t hit a home run, but making a hit to first base is what you can do–and that’s just fine! Here is an 18 minute routine that you can do on your own as soon as those little feet hit the floor!
Blast your own music, OR, use this Christmas playlist I created! I tried to get some fun, up-tempo music that you may not usually choose. These songs are all done by Christian groups or musicians! Enjoy! Or grab playlist from iTunes!
And now, onto the workout!
The image below is just a quick reference for you. Read below for details on each move if you aren’t sure of them! You will need a timer of some sorts and a pair of dumbbells. (A light and heavy pair would be awesome, but if you don’t have both, then it’s not necessary)
You will want to do each exercise in each circuit for 45 seconds without stopping. Don’t sacrifice form and rest when you need at ANY time. Rest for 15 seconds before you move to the next exercise! (Right click and download the image to your computer or phone, or screensnap it on your smartphone for reference!) 
Warm-Up
1.) Jumping Jack, Jog in place, Squat with circle knee
Circuit 1
1.) Curtsy Lunge with shoulder raises 2.) Skater Taps
Circuit 2
1.) Rear Lunge Kick with bicep curl
2.) Weighted Jumping Jack: Take one weight and press it into the air as you do a jumping jack.
Circuit 3
1.) Burpee/Renegade Row/Push-Up
2.) “W” Hops: Hop left, center, right,center, left and repeat.
Circuit 4
2.) Cross Jab with a knee (Make sure you do both sides!)
3.) Knee Drive (right and left side)
Circuit 5
1.) “The Hover”
Remember, you do not have to sacrifice your health during this season! There are very practical ways to keep you in the game if you want it!
Today’s Giveaway:
Clare would love to give you a chance to grab some new workout tunes AND grab a new workout top or socks! She’s giving away a $5 gift card to iTunes and a $15 gift card to Target! For a chance to win these great gifts post a comment below sharing some of your tips to keep moving during the holidays. Or share your struggle with fitting in exercise at the holidays. Or how about this…what do you think your favorite Christmas tune to exercise to would be?
Don’t forget to come back for all 12 days! You can comment on all twelve posts until midnight December 14th. {And remember, if you comment on all 12 posts, you might win the Grand Prize!}
I try hard to stay in my morning routine. Up at 5:15 to get I. My walking or biking…..
Ooooooh this one’s tough for me. I so struggle with this.Thank you very much for the ideas. to get started!
It’s so hard to exercise when it’s so cold outside! But, I try and fit in a short bit of exercise here and there, while waiting for something to cook, during a commercial, a few minutes to jump on the treadmill. Every little bit helps! :)
I think Jingle bells would be good to exercise to!
Honestly, the simplest thing for me to do is to drink a lot of water. Then I have to get up a lot to go to the bathroom, and at the very least I am getting some steps in. :)
I usually have a hard time working out during the holidays because triathlon season is over, so there is nothing to train for. But this year I am 20 weeks pregnant and my goal is to stay in shape throughout my pregnancy! So my baby is my motivation this holiday season.
My husband and I tag team fitness. He does the treadmill, while I do my planks, crunches, lifting, etc. Then we switch. That way we workout together and hold each other accountable. We take turns picking the music too, which shakes things up. With the cold and dark outside, it used to interfere with out nightly walks…NOT an issue anymore since we got the treadmill. For sure one of our favorite purchases for our health investment. Happy Holiday workouts All!
My tip to keep moving during the holidays is to workout early in the day. For me that’s the only way it will get done. To make me feel even more efficient, I listed to podcasts while I run on my rebounder : )
With all the holiday temptations, it’s great to have motivation to keep up with fitness routines.
I get up and workout at 5:30 am, before work. It’s the only way it will get done.
Shopping and park far away.
Thanks for the ideas. I definitely need motivated.
What helps me stay moving during the holidays is doing a workout challenge. I usually try to work out each day even if it’s a short one. A great challenge is Clare’s 21 day hunger free holiday challenge. Another one I like is Jessica Smith on YouTube. Favorite music to work out to is Toby Mac. Great song is I don’t want to gain the whole world and lose my soul.
long family walks to look at christmas lights!
I forwarded this to my daughter who manages a Anytime Fitness and does personal training. Yes, we all need more exercise. Love these! thanks for sharing!
for me when things get crazy, is to remember that something is better than nothing! So I do a 15-20 min workout. Then if I have time for another one, or a walk, or a game
Of chase with the kids later in the day, I do.
Exercise… Treadmills are for running/ walking inside, with no ice. (Establish your stride before going for max a time trial or anything like that though.)
A great low impact exercise that one can do with fairly normal body positions is belly dance. (No floor/ flexibility concerns) ((There’s no backwards.))
And Pilates addresses several fitness areas and is useful to several other sports.
Have never really thought about working out to Christmas music but I love the idea. Maybe Jingle Bell rock even though it is not Christian music.
I do find it harder during the holidays to fit in exercise. I try to find time to at least get on the treadmill, but that’s not always possible.
Exercise is a hard one for me to fit in…I work 3 jobs (I do walk a bunch within these jobs) so finding time to exercise is hard. I would love to get motivated to move…I think the Christmas playlist is a cool way to do it. I think exercising to Jingle Bell Rock would get me moving. Also, exercise during the commercials of favorite tv shows would be a good way to move…When it is cold, damp and dreary outside…I use to go to the indoor walking track at my local park…it got me moving. What fun it would be to work and rock out…
I am pretty good about walking for exercise 4 times a week. But, I live in Alaska and it’s hard to get out and do it when it’s getting dark early and the roads are slippery.
I love these ideas for exercising on the fly! I like to go to the gym first thing in the morning before work (when it’s not crowded) and do some cardio, but that is difficult as I tend to burn the candle at both ends during the holidays. This is a great idea to get a work out in quickly. I’m a firm believer, however, in controlling what food I consume in order to keep the holiday weight gain in check. I use an app called My Plate where it’s easy to record your weight each day, track everything you eat and the calories, along with the exercise you perform. You can set it to maintain your weight or to lose weight, so it tells you how much you can consume.
Finding the time to exercise!
Definitely struggle with moving, but more with eating during the holidays!
I use Claire’s ideas for workouts.