The holiday season can be an absolutely magical time, filled with fun, good food, and family gatherings. But it’s no secret that this time of year can also wreak havoc on your routine. With all the extra get-togethers, fancy meals, and never-ending to-do lists, it can be hard to maintain your holiday fitness goals and stay trendy at the same time!
But that’s where athleisurewear can help. Stylish, functional athleisurewear is the easiest way to balance holiday fashion with holiday fitness! These comfy clothes not only look chic with minimal effort, but they’re always ready for a quick workout sesh whenever you have a few extra minutes. It’s the perfect combination to get you through the holiday hustle!
In this guide, we’ll give you tips on how to stay active during the holidays, build a versatile athleisure wardrobe, and even share some holiday outfit inspiration. So, if you’re ready to crush this holiday season, here’s how to do it.
One of the easiest ways to keep up with your holiday fitness goals is to incorporate some quick and flexible workouts into your schedule—and be kind to yourself. With all the extra festivities of the season, it may not be realistic to work out as frequently or long as you typically do. But anything is better than nothing, so allow yourself to be flexible and fit in workouts when you can.
If you’re feeling too busy to make the trip to the gym, don’t be afraid to switch to home workouts during the busy season! Bodyweight exercises, yoga, and quick cardio routines are great ways to get in some exercise without adding to your stress. You can build your own or find a specific home workout plan for women that catches your eye.
This time of year is also a prime opportunity to engage in some holiday-inspired workouts! You’ll find a lot of these themed workouts on social media, challenging you to 12 Days of Fitness or movie-specific workout “games”. These can be fun ways to incorporate more activity into your days without it feeling like a chore.
Not sure where to start? Here are a few quick workouts you can do just about anywhere, including one to do with your kids!
Home Workouts Plans for Women
Holiday Hustle Full Body Workout—This 15-minute HIIT circuit is perfect for mornings or a quick midday workout.
- Jump squats: 45 seconds on, 15 seconds rest
- Push-Ups: 45 seconds on, 15 seconds rest
- Mountain Climbers: 45 seconds on, 15 seconds rest
- Plank Hold: 45 seconds on, 15 seconds rest
- Burpees: 45 seconds on, 15 seconds rest
- Repeat 2-3 times
Cozy Indoor Cardio & Core Circuit—This 10-minute circuit is easy to squeeze in between holiday events!
- High Knees: 30 seconds
- Bicycle Crunches: 30 seconds
- Lunges: 30 seconds
- Russian Twists: 30 seconds
- Plank Jacks: 30 seconds
- Repeat 2 times
Family Fun Workout—Grab the kids and do this fun 5 to 10-minute workout at home to burn off those holiday treats.
- Jumping Jacks: 1 minute
- Bodyweight Squats: 1 minute
- Plank to Downward Dog: 1 minute
- Stair Step-Ups: 1 minute
- Walking Lunges: 1 minute
- Set a timer and repeat 2 times
Tips for Maintaining Holiday Fitness Goals without Missing the Fun
It can be hard to fit in a workout when you feel like it requires you to miss a fun event or family time. But it is possible to stay on top of your holiday fitness goals without sacrificing other things. Here are a few tips:
- Aim for consistency rather than intensity or length. It’s okay to shorten your workouts and do something that doesn’t work up a big sweat. If it’s easier to maintain, try to do something quick each day instead.
- Make family events more active with fun fitness challenges or something as simple as a walk together after meals.
- Keep a positive, balanced mindset. The holidays tend to come with a lot of temptations to eat extra sweets and skip your workouts in favor of more relaxation. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you give in, but be sure to balance those indulgences with some exercise and healthy meals when you can.
Turning Athleisurewear into Stylish Holiday Outfits
Now that you know how to stay active during the holiday season, let’s focus on your holiday fashion! When you’re running errands, attending parties, taking care of the kids, etc., it can be easy to just toss on those holey sweats and embrace the mess. But why do that when you can be effortlessly stylish all season instead?
No matter what the day holds (short of a fancy party), you can incorporate leisurewear essentials into your holiday outfit. You just need the right wardrobe staples that work well with what’s already in your closet to create stylish yet comfy outfits that effortlessly transition from workouts to holiday events.
Must-Have Pieces for Holiday Fitness and Fashion
Every trendy athleisurewear wardrobe starts with a few essential pieces that can easily be dressed up or down. The key is to choose pieces that balance style and function, so you can look and feel good no matter what task you’re tackling.
One of the best ways to make sure those athleisurewear pieces can convert into a holiday outfit is to choose winter workout clothes in festive colors. Don’t go crazy with patterns, but feel free to lean into greens, reds, and jewel tones that fit the season. These will be easy to pair with your existing winter tops and bottoms.
High-waisted leggings are at the top of our essential list, thanks to their versatility. Women’s leggings in basic colors go great with sweaters, long-sleeve shirts, and sweatshirts, while also being comfy and flexible. They make it super-easy to squeeze in a quick workout before lounging around on the couch or heading out to the next party. Just be sure to choose light to medium-weight fabrics that don’t look like they belong in the gym and keep the prints to a minimum.
Layering pieces are another critical part of your holiday wardrobe—not just to combat the cold weather but to help those athleisurewear pieces blend in. Don’t be afraid to throw a jacket or vest over a long-sleeve athletic shirt to dress it up a bit and add some textural variety to the athletic material. We also love how snuggly and incognito leggings and cardigans look together. But when a quick workout session calls, you can just shed the outer layer and get to business.
Last but not least, don’t forget about the accessories! We’re always big fans of leggings with boots, but don’t stop there! Jazz up your winter workout clothes with beanies, scarves, and gloves for a holiday outfit that is still active-friendly underneath.
So how do you actually put together a holiday break outfit with those athleisurewear pieces? We’ve got tips for that, too! One of the things we love about athleisurewear is that its incredibly versatile, giving you the ability to wear it for pretty much any holiday event.
For example, you could show up to a family brunch sporting your favorite cozy sweater with women’s leggings and some trendy sneakers. Just pop a sports bra underneath, and you’re ready to do a quick workout sesh before dessert comes out!
Athleisurewear is also so perfect for winter activities where you need to bundle up and still be able to move. If you plan to go ice-skating, search for a tree, or walk around caroling, winter workout clothes are a great way to keep in warmth! We recommend pairing warm leggings or jeans with a long-sleeve workout shirt, then adding layers like a scarf, boots, and beanie.
If you have children, girls activewear works just as well as adult athleisure for these situations! Help your kids pair their active shirts and bottoms with cozy items that look cute but leave them free to run and play when the time comes.
The holidays can be a stressful time, but we hope that this guide will help take some of that extra pressure off your plate! By following these tips, you can embrace the season more fully while balancing holiday fashion and fitness with everything else going on.
And remember, when you need to fill out your athleisurewear wardrobe with some stylish essentials, Stelle has you covered with comfy and functional pieces to help you look and feel your best every day!
Here’s to a stylish, active, and festive season!
