How to keep up your boxing regime over Christmas

Without being strict and committed you’ll lose motivation to workout over Christmas when you’re short on time. Stay focused and don’t be weak, or else you’ll head into January with fitness regrets!

Follow these simple rules to keep up your boxing regime over Christmas:

Plan, plan, plan

If you haven’t already, make a plan for the month around Christmas and the New Year and make a promise to yourself to stick to it. Once it’s written down, it’s like a contract with yourself you’ll be less likely to break. If you really have to miss a session, mark it in red and keep them to a minimum; you know if you missed one, you definitely can’t miss the next one!

As the month progresses, keep an eye on your goals and activity. Evaluate yourself and how you’re performing against your plans… be brutal if you’re not putting the effort in.

Be flexible

If you’re normally on point with going to the gym at set times on set days, be prepared to mix it up over the festive season. It’s likely there will be more events on than normal, some which you won’t want to miss. Instead of skipping a session entirely, go earlier in the day or reschedule for the next morning. Doing this will also put you on your best behaviour if you’re out!

Home workouts

With dark evenings, bad weather and gyms sometimes closing earlier, getting to the gym or training outside can be asking too much this time of year. If it’s a choice between not going to the gym and doing a home workout, choose the home workout with punch bags or weights you already have, and put on music that keeps you motivated.

If you don’t have specific equipment, you can try out shadow boxing – or just use your bodyweight to benefit from 20 minute HIIT sessions, with press ups, burpees and squats.

Find a gym buddy

No one likes to be alone at Christmas so find a gym buddy to keep you inspired. Involve someone you know with similar goals and head to the gym together. By having made that commitment with someone else, you won’t want to skip a session and let them down so you’re more likely to go. It’s simple but it works.

Treats in moderation

With all the festive cheer and seasonal food at Christmas, totally denying yourself is unrealistic and could lead to breaking and going overboard on the big day. Agree with yourself how much you’re willing to treat yourself – whether it’s in calories or even looking into macros – and then, sit back and enjoy. After all, why have a treat if you’ll only feel guilty?

Work for a reward

The real reward is being fight ready and not losing the results of all your hard work up till now, but there’s nothing wrong with an extra incentive. If you stick to your regime and stay dedicated, give a gift to yourself, like a personalised hoody or shorts (see our custom clothing), a new watch or tickets to a boxing event. Whatever works for you.

Think long term

What are your goals for the New Year? Do you have any competitions coming up or are you close to getting a PB in the gym? Don’t let a few weeks of Christmas set you back. If it helps, make a note and put it on your door so you’re always reminded and refocused as you head out. In short, put those long term goggles on!

Stay strong this Christmas. Now that’s all said and done, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all the team at Boxfit UK!