Are you worried about how to stay motivated for your favourite activity during the festive season? Ursula Beatty gets help.

Staying motivated is tough enough, but it can get even more arduous during the festive season; especially when your diary is filled with functions, holiday plans and endless dinner parties. Any motivation to keep the body you worked so hard to get in shape — in shape — may disappear with a bang, just like a Christmas cracker.

Advertisement

So if you, like me, are struggling to stay motivated when everyone else around you is in holiday mode, look to the experts. Who better to give us motivation tricks than the exercise specialists themselves?

Trick 1: The outdoor gym
“You don’t need machines or weights to create resistance when training. Your own body and the environment around you can provide you with the best workout you’ve ever had. Go to a park and visualise your gym. Do you see stairs, steps, fields, trees, paths, sand/grass/gravel? OK, that’s plenty! While using your body as resistance, this outdoor venue also provides fresh air and panoramic views (depending on where you decide to go). And if a change in venue is not enough, ask a friend to join you!” — Huenu Solsona, Adventure Bootcamp trainer.

Trick 2: Naughty treats
“The festive season is always hard for me, especially when all the social parties and events get going. Even though we’re involved in nearly 30 ballet performances over the Christmas period, I allow myself to indulge. For those of us disciplined enough to follow healthy eating and exercise regimes throughout the year, I believe we owe it to ourselves to relax and enjoy a few naughty treats. Dancers work hard and the key is balance. A motivation motto I live by is: ‘Don’t be driven by guilt, rather be inspired by perfection’.” — Marianne Bauer, principal ballet dancer.

Trick 3: Be passionate
“Be passionate about what you do, that is what drives me. Knowing that you put 100% into a sport that you love is at the very least, rewarding. Horse riding is great sport for toning (especially your legs) and staying in shape. And, the bond that I’ve built with my horse ensures I always come back to horse riding. But maintain a balance. Know when it’s time to train, and when it is time to take a break. Remember, don’t deprive yourself of other activities, and really enjoy what you do when it comes to exercise.” — Nicole Williams, horse rider.

Trick 4: Celebrate your body
“Belly dancing is a great body and belly workout, and is guaranteed to help you get bikini-ready! And if that is not motivation enough, why not use the principles of belly dancing to do something special for your partner? Since belly dancing is about celebrating your feminine side (not to be confused with pole dancing!), why not use it as a romantic option to entertain your partner: you continue to tone, sweep your partner of his feet, and you don’t even leave home!” — Natasha van der Merwe, belly dancer.

Trick 5: Do a range of activities
"Although I adore Pilates, there are other activities to focus on: a walk on the beach, dancing or hiking. This way you get exercise without even realising it. Oh yes, enjoy the parties but add some water to your alcohol intake. — Renee Watson, Pilates teacher.

(Shape Magazine, December 2006)

Rate this article Poor 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent

JOBS

Civil Engineering Technician Gauteng - Johannesburg Accountant Gauteng - North/Sandton Financial Manager R550,000-600,000 Per Annum Central African Republic Financial Accountant R300,000-340,000 Per Annum Gauteng Treasury Specialist R500,000-630,000 Per Annum Gauteng - East Rand Credit Manager R300,000-400,000 Per Annum Mpumalanga Financial Manager R27,000-30,000 Per Month Gauteng - North/Sandton Delphi developers Gauteng - North/Sandton Find more jobs Register your CV Post a job