Christmas break: The 20-day temptation 

Ah, Christmas—the season of joy, celebration, and… slipping up on your fitness goals. Here’s the real challenge: most people don’t just indulge on Christmas Day. The holiday season stretches for weeks, starting with festive gatherings in early December and culminating in the New Year. What should be a couple of days of indulgence often turns into a 20-day marathon of skipped workouts and overeating. It’s no wonder that January comebacks to the gym feel so daunting. 

But here’s the thing—taking a break from training during the festive season isn’t just a harmless detour. It can derail months of hard work. This is why we encourage adopting a maintenance mindset during Christmas. It’s not about chasing big gains; it’s about staying active enough to keep your fitness on track. 

Why the holidays hit harder 

Many of us think of Christmas as just a day or two of indulgence, but let’s be real—December is packed with parties, late nights, and indulgent meals. Before you know it, your routine, strength, and motivation slip away faster than you realize. The habits you’ve worked so hard to build take a back seat to holiday chaos. 

When you lose consistency, getting back into the groove in January feels like starting from scratch. And for every week you miss, the climb back becomes steeper. That’s why we emphasize maintenance training as the key to navigating the holidays. 

What is maintenance training? 

Maintenance training isn’t about going all-out; it’s about setting a realistic minimum standard for yourself. This could mean scaling back to just two or three workouts per week. The goal is simple: keep your muscles active, your cardiovascular system engaged, and—most importantly—your habit of exercising alive. 

Think of it as hitting the brakes gently rather than coming to a screeching halt. Maintenance training helps you preserve the progress you’ve worked so hard to achieve. The maintenance training let’s you continue the training where you left off once the holiday season is over. It will also enhance how you see yourself.

How CrossFit Kreis 9 keeps you moving 

At CrossFit Kreis 9, we understand how challenging it can be to stick to your routine during the holidays, especially if you’re traveling. That’s why we offer an exclusive travel programming for our members. This program includes five 30-minute workouts per week, each requiring minimal or improvised equipment—think backpacks, chairs, or water bottles. 

Each workout comes with a detailed video instruction video to guide you, ensuring you can maintain your fitness anywhere in the world. These efficient sessions are designed to keep your momentum going, so you don’t feel like you’re starting over when you return. 

The cost of taking a holiday break 

Skipping workouts during the holidays may seem like a small sacrifice, but the impact can be significant: 

• Loss of strength and endurance: Muscles weaken quickly when unused, and cardiovascular fitness declines just as fast. 
• Momentum killer: Fitness thrives on consistency. Once you stop, the mental and physical hurdles to start again grow. 
• Unhealthy habits creeping in: Missed workouts often lead to poor eating and sleeping habits, creating a cycle that’s hard to break. 

The longer the break, the harder it is to restart. That’s why it’s crucial to maintain a baseline level of activity, even if you can’t stick to your usual routine. 

Don’t fall for the “other activities” trap 

It’s tempting to rely on holiday activities like long walks or sledding to fill the gap left by your workouts. While these activities are enjoyable, they rarely match the intensity of structured training. Plus, with cold weather and packed schedules, they often don’t happen as often as we hope. That’s where travel programming steps in, offering a reliable way to stay active without overthinking it. 

Thriving through the holidays 

If you’ve been training consistently, aim to maintain at least two or three sessions per week during the holiday season. Focus on compound movements and high-intensity intervals to maximize your time. If you’re traveling, commit to our travel programming. These short, effective workouts ensure you stay active and keep your momentum. 

The goal isn’t just to survive the holidays—it’s to come out the other side feeling strong and in control. By adopting a maintenance mindset and taking advantage of tools like CrossFit Kreis 9’s travel programming, you’ll set yourself up for a successful start to the New Year. 

Remember, fitness isn’t just about what you do in the gym. It’s about creating habits and routines that support you, no matter where life—or the holidays—take you.

• Lucas

About the coach:

Meet Lucas: a seasoned coach with a positive mindset and a direct approach. With ten years of full-time coaching and thousands of hours under his belt, Lucas blends encouragement with straight talk. Armed with dual degrees in Physical Education/Sports and Business Administration, along with a CrossFit Level 3 Trainer certification, he’s dedicated to excellence in coaching. From performance analysis to advanced seminars, Lucas is your guide to achieving your fitness goals with precision and positivity.