Quick Workouts for the Holiday Season

Fast workouts maintain fitness through the holidays
Fast workouts maintain fitness through the holidays

When schedules get packed with holiday obligations, running frequently gets pushed off your to-do list. That's a shame because investing just a little time in exercise can reap big rewards. In fact, even if you have just 10 minutes a day, three days a week, you can maintain some running fitness. Plus, these sessions will help offset stress and provide the consistency that makes it easier to resume your regular training when the craziness abates.

If you'd rather exercise indoors, check out these 4 Treadmill Workouts for Winter.

YOU HAVE 10 MINUTES

Warm up with one to two minutes of brisk walking, then alternate two minutes running with 30 seconds walking. If you feel good, gradually increase the speed of your run segments. Repeat three times. Jog easy for one minute to cool down. If you're stuck in the house, walk briskly from room to room and up and down stairs. Every minute, jog in place for 20 steps.

YOU HAVE 15 MINUTES

Walk gently up and down a flight of stairs two or three times to warm up. Then run up one flight and walk back down. Repeat four times, take a one-minute walk break on a flat surface, then continue the sequence as time allows. If you're in a stairwell, run up two flights of stairs, walk down, repeat, then take a walk break.

Best Cold-Weather Workout Gear

YOU HAVE 20 MINUTES

On an out-and-back route, walk for one minute, then alternate 30 seconds walking with 30 seconds running for three minutes. For the next six minutes, run/walk using any ratio you wish. At the 10-minute mark, turn around. For the next nine minutes, run/walk whatever ratio you'd like, but pick up the pace during the run portion. Cool down for one minute.

YOU HAVE 30 MINUTES

Walk for two minutes, then alternate 30 seconds walking with 30 seconds running for six minutes. For the next 20 minutes, alternate jogging for one minute, running a faster pace for one minute, jogging one minute, walking one minute. Repeat the sequence five times. Walk or jog two minutes to cool down.

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--By Jeff Galloway, Runner's World

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