We independently evaluate the products we review. When you buy via links on our site, we may receive compensation. Read more about how we vet products and deals.
I'm a health writer, and these are the 2 fitness tools helping me transition my workouts into the new year
An online workout program and a new fitness tracker are giving me the motivation I need to stay active and centered.
First, it's the season of holiday hubbub — giving, joy and family togetherness. Then, it's Twixmas — the week of discombobulation where the holidays have wrapped up and you're waiting for the new year to start. Although the last few weeks of the year are filled with fun, they also come with a whirlwind of obligations that can easily disrupt your routine, including your commitment to fitness. And with new year's resolutions right around the corner, it can be easy to push off your workouts with a simple, "I'll get recommitted soon."
But here's the thing: You don't have to let your workouts go completely, with an "all or nothing" mindset. If you’re like me, staying active during times of stress is essential for remaining centered, and if you approach exercise with the attitude that "a little goes a long way," the extra effort you put in now can pay off in January, when you decide to set more serious goals. If you want to maintain your exercise routine during the last few weeks of the year, I swear by these two fitness product picks — they'll help you fit in your workouts (even when you're short on time) and they'll remind you to take a beat when you're feeling particularly stressed.
A flexible online workout program
When schedules are disrupted, it can be much more difficult to hit the gym on a regular basis, especially if you're traveling, managing kids home from school, or you have out-of-town visitors. That's why an online workout program is essential for getting through the last few weeks of the year. Alo Moves is my go-to app for staying active, and interestingly, it was also rated the "best online workout program" by another Yahoo Life writer — it's clearly a good choice.
I particularly love the variety of workouts ALO Moves offers. Luckily, I have the discipline to stay active — it keeps me sane during uber-busy times like the holidays — but there are days and times when my pre-planned running or strength training workout just isn't feasible given the commitments of the day. Having other options to engage in movement is a big priority. In addition to HIIT and strength training classes, the ALO platform offers ballet-inspired Pilates, walking sessions, yoga classes, nutrition lessons and stretching sessions that you can complete in as little as five minutes.
I'm in my 40s, so flexibility is more of a priority now than ever, and these quick stretching sessions make the ALO app worth the price. I also love the Hatha and restorative yoga classes and meditation sessions when I have more time. Having an easy way to take 20 minutes out of my day to regroup and zen out is huge for my mindset. If you struggle with self-care, do yourself a favor and subscribe — it will give you the flexibility (literally and figuratively) to stay active from the comfort of home.
A fitness tracker for workouts, sleep and stress management
I'm late to the smartwatch game, but I'm obsessed with my TicWatch Atlas, which has all the bells and whistles I need to stay on top of my workouts.
As a runner, my favorite feature is the built-in GPS, which allows you to track your runs, bike rides and hikes without the need to tote along a phone. I also love the heart rate monitor, which I use to stay in my target heart rate zones. If you're new to the concept, following the American Heart Association's guidelines is a good starting point.
In addition to offering multiple sports modes to track your workouts, including everything from swimming to yoga, the TicWatch Atlas syncs to your phone to make it easy to track a variety of health metrics. It provides a snapshot of your daily activity levels, sleep quality and even your current stress levels, by using heart rate variability. This is particularly nice during the holidays, when stress levels often spike. For instance, I may know I'm extra stressed, but seeing it reflected on the app is a good reminder to take a time out. Lately, I've been leveraging this information and opting to do a quick meditation session on ALO Moves to help keep me centered.
While I'm not particularly tech-savvy, this model is extremely user-friendly. The best part? It not only motivates me to stay active, but it gives me real-time data to reach my goals more effectively. If you lead an active lifestyle and love a good gadget, this smartwatch is a great option.
Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
