My Fellow Lifting Lovers...How Do the Holidays Affect You?

peaceout_aly

How often do you regularly get in the gym to lift, and for how long? How are the Holidays affecting that? I usually am in 6x week for about 60-90 minutes per session and for the past two weeks (okay, let's say month) I've been slacking...only 4-5x week. I already skipped twice this week and am gonna have to really push to get in there on Christmas Eve in order to make it a 5x lift week. I feel like I'm losing gains or not making as much progress as I should be. How do you deal? I know I can't be the only one.

quiksylver296

Right there with you. I'm normally in 4 days per week, and I've only been in 2-3 times/week for the last month or so. I could hardly bench my regular weight last night. I'm planning a hard reset after Christmas.

peaceout_aly

quiksylver296 wrote: »

Right there with you. I'm normally in 4 days per week, and I've only been in 2-3 times for the last month or so. I could hardly bench my regular weight last night. I'm planning a hard reset after Christmas.

I'm glad I'm not alone in this! I guess it's just the time of year. I felt so guilty for skipping yesterday, and I'm trying to do a double session today (arms and power legs) but then I'm sitting here thinking I might as well just go in and get whatever I can done instead of killing myself and not being able to do everything that needs to get done when I go home. Family and friends have to take priority at some point in life! LOL

sardelsa

Well you know my situation, I lifted today, but bare minimum lifts because I just don't have time (plus I'm sick and on no sleep etc etc). Honestly, I just do what I can and try not to feel guilty because it is what it is. I may get another session in tomorrow and then I won't get in there until Tuesday the earliest. But I only workout 3x per week, plus my gym is in my basement, also my sessions are short (and I can make them shorter by cutting out abs, ha, who needs them right ) so much easier to squeeze in for me.

jennybearlv

I haven't had a problem hitting my three days a week of lifting and three days of running, 30 minutes to an hour, this month, but will miss Friday and Monday lifting this week because I'm travelling. I had to move yesterday's workout to today because I had a holiday lunch yesterday, then had to run errands in the snow all afternoon which left me wiped. I still plan on getting in my run time this weekend. It's a great excuse to escape family time. Plus I'll be in Vegas which will be shorts and tee weather. A nice relief from the snow and mud.

TR0berts

At worst - generally speaking - it just means shifting (a) lifting session(s) a day. This year, I'm deloading between Christmas and New Years. Not because it's the holidays, but because I need it and it's a good spot to do so.

jemhh

The holidays don't really affect me as far as my workouts go. This year I've missed working out due to illness but that is unusual. I lift at home and only have one holiday commitment that is taking me out of town. That's a day trip next Monday but we aren't leaving until 9 so I'll probably get up at 6 and lift before we go. I don't have evening parties at all (all work stuff is during the day, no friends having parties, etc.)

tulips_and_tea

It's generally the opposite for me around the holidays. At times work is really busy but only for a few hours per day so I leave early most days and have more time than usual to workout.

We had a huge family gathering for Thanksgiving this year so Christmas will have minimal activities. I'm looking forward to some quiet downtime over the weekend and next week.

cwolfman13

I do full body 3x per week...it's very efficient, so the holidays have zero impact...

My cycling is more impacted...not because holidays necessarily, but winter in general. I have an indoor trainer, but it's not nearly as fun as hitting the road...but I'm also a fare weather cyclist.

sammyliftsandeats

I haven't been impacted...still able to make my 5 days a week. I just go before work in the mornings. My gym is closed on Christmas Day and New Years Day and running limited hours on the 24th and the 31st but I have kind of scheduled things so those two days (24th-25th and 31st to 1st) are my rest days.

VeggieBarbells

Last year I lifted right up until Xmas day, the year before I trained on Xmas day. This year I have slowly been converting to callisthenics so I'm training literally every day with a bit of cardio to accommodate any indiscretions that may occur over the festive period.

Cylphin60

Not much impact here, and I don't really expect one. I do all home workouts, so getting to the gym is easy. If anything how busy the wife and I are is really the only hit. I just don't want to do my usual early am workout. I'd rather sleep, but I'm making up for it in the afternoons, so all is well.

For now. Ask me again after the third Christmas dinner.

Sumiblue

Strangely, I've been able to be consistent with 5x week. I'm not traveling this year and my gym is in my home so I can stick to my schedule.

nowine4me

No impact as my gym is in my garage and I lift every other day without fail. Some days better than others.

If it wasn't, I'd be dreading the onslaught of clueless gym newbies in January, bless their hearts.

lkpducky

The holidays just affect the time of day of my workout. Normally I have to wait until mid-afternoon to work out because I work from 6 am - 2:30 or 3 pm, but when off work I can go in the morning and work out, or go for a longer run, without having work on my mind. Plus my husband and I have the time to go for long walks. So I actually can get more done during holidays.

peaceout_aly

Jealous of everyone who isn't impacted! You guys are lucky! We have a lot going on this year, but I've been trying to make the most of it. I figure if I had an "off" three weeks of only 4-5 lifts x week, at least I got in and made the most of those 4-5 times. I'm excited to get back to my routine next week, but for now I'm going to enjoy family time.

Doing a two-a-day today (went before work and going after) to make up for having to skimp on yesterday's session. Then an extended heavy leg session tomorrow before Christmas Eve dinner because...gains!! Have a happy holidays everyone!

peaceout_aly

Cylphin60 wrote: »

Not much impact here, and I don't really expect one. I do all home workouts, so getting to the gym is easy. If anything how busy the wife and I are is really the only hit. I just don't want to do my usual early am workout. I'd rather sleep, but I'm making up for it in the afternoons, so all is well.

For now. Ask me again after the third Christmas dinner.

LMAO the third Christmas dinner. It's all for gains, so it's okay!

newbie3122

I lift 6 days/week. Xmas break is a setback for me because the gym will be closed. I guess I will do some bodyweight training and count them as my deload.

Cylphin60

peaceout_aly wrote: »

Cylphin60 wrote: »

Not much impact here, and I don't really expect one. I do all home workouts, so getting to the gym is easy. If anything how busy the wife and I are is really the only hit. I just don't want to do my usual early am workout. I'd rather sleep, but I'm making up for it in the afternoons, so all is well.

For now. Ask me again after the third Christmas dinner.

LMAO the third Christmas dinner. It's all for gains, so it's okay!

There will be gains I'm sure!

singletrackmtbr

No impact on me. No excuses. Get up earlier and do a bodyweight workout or go for a run. Be flexible and commit to yourself.

I'm a creature of momentum. If I take a break for Christmas, I'll soon be taking one for New Year's, Valentine's Day, Fridays, and all of March and April if you get my drift.