We’re half-way through December, and that means it’s time for mince pies, cosy winter coats and as many dinners, drinks and get-togethers as you can manage.

Between all the events, festive food and cold, wet weather, however, there’s little or motivation to exercise. It’s hard enough getting out of a warm bed when it’s dark outside at the best of times, let alone when you’re slightly hungover or readying yourself for yet another long day.

But, movement and exercise are still important during the festive season. Maybe you’ve been diligently strength training all year – why lose those gains now? Perhaps you’ve been running consistently for months; now’s the perfect time to enjoy the mental health benefits of getting outdoors and getting your heart pumping.

The question is, how can we motivate ourselves to exercise when there are so many distractions around us? It’s an issue that affects personal trainers just as much as it does the rest of us – and to prove that’s the case, we’ve roped in a bunch of PTs to explain how they get over their own motivation hurdles around this time of year.

Walk more and nibble on fitness snacks

“I struggle to keep up my workout motivation during the holidays, but to be honest, I don’t put too much pressure on myself about it,” says PT Emma Obayuvana. “The holiday season is so important for resting, reconnecting with other people and taking time out for yourself.”

She does, however, try to keep moving. “I walk a lot to keep up my step count every day – we shouldn’t underestimate the benefits of long daily walks. I also do more mobility work and what I call ‘yoga movement snacks’. During the holiday season, it can be hard to fit in full 45 minute classes and workout sessions. Instead, I find that 20 minute sessions throughout the week are easier to work up motivation for.”

Create a banging playlist

“I enjoy music, so creating an extensive playlist is key to keeping my body moving,” PT Janine George says. “I also love the arts, and watching films and choreographies keeps me inspired to stay active and creative.” She also stresses that it’s OK to take time off right now, when the days are short and nights are long. “As a result, my mood can dip and so my attention turns towards comfort, hibernation and looking internally.”

Try to stick to morning workouts

“If you have a training goal, you should follow your routine as much as you can and try to do your workout first thing in the morning,” believes Kerry Dixon, founder of The Athlete Method. “That way, you get it out of the way and you have the rest of the day to relax. If you don’t have a training goal, though, just workout when you can, and remember not to be too hard on yourself if you take some time out. 

“The holidays are a great time to physically and mentally reset, so it’s important to enjoy the moment – you can get back into a routine after the festivities have passed.”

Workout with family or friends and prioritise being kinder to yourself

“I motivate myself by making exercise fun, and I usually get together with my siblings to work out for at least 30 minutes every day,” explains body transformation coach Nazia Khatun. 

“Triggers of previous disordered eating creep up on me during the holidays; I get tense at meal times because I’ve previously over-exercised and punished myself for eating too much. So, one of the best ways I keep myself motivated is by creating a plan for my meals and exercise. I also know I have to be even kinder to myself and accept the fact that maybe I will eat more than usual, and that’s OK.”

Workout with family, partners or friends

“Having training partners can be highly motivating because it makes working out more fun and it means there is accountability,” explains athlete Risquat Fabunmi-Alade. 

“I make sure I have specific goals that I work towards, because I know that I won’t achieve them if I don’t put the work in. I also train on certain days and follow a training programme. Having a plan means I don’t have to think too much about what I’m doing and can just get on with it. So, I’d recommend coming up with a plan for each week to decide what kinds of activities you want to do.”

Don’t exercise more than usual

Tashi Skervin, founder of  the TSC Method says that her golden rule is to stick to her normal routine as much as possible. “During the holidays, I often  have to train earlier than usual to fit in holiday activities with friends and family. I’m not, however, doing an increased amount of cardio to offset Christmas treats, and if I miss a day due to being hungover, I don’t beat myself up about it. The holiday season is just a few weeks, and my body could probably do with a rest after a hard year of training.” 

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Images: Getty