Why Michelle Bridges says you should kick start 2022 fitness goals before Christmas

Don’t wait until the New Year to start building a new you, says fitness ace Michelle Bridges. Here are exercises to get you started.

Fitness guru Michelle Bridges says the trick to kickstarting your New Year health and fitness routine is to start now – before 2022 begins.

She says the week between Christmas and New Year can be a danger zone for excessive eating and drinking, but with a little forward planning you can get a jump start on your New-Year resolution for a fitter you.

“From the parties, going out, overindulging and not training as much, the week between Christmas and December 31 can be a recipe for disaster. But it doesn’t have to be,” Bridges says.

“It’s important to remember that one week cannot derail your entire 2022 health goals. Let’s get that straight. That’s a mindset.”

Michelle Bridges completing a side plank. Picture: Supplied

Bridges says getting moving before Christmas Day will make any 2022 goals easier to achieve.

She says three simple changes will help.

1. Plan time to move. Aim to make it the same time of day that works for you.

2. Learn some new recipes that serve you well and nourish you each week.

3. Take a moment each day to go within. Breathe. Release. Hold yourself like you would your child.

Bridges says fitness resolutions are fine to make, but stick to just one.

“Avoid overwhelming yourself with too much and you’re more likely to get it done,” she says.

She says planning is key and will prevent the rollercoaster effect of starting a health and fitness routine and then slipping off it.

“It is an interesting headspace, to be shifting from one extreme to another. Yet in my experience, it’s quite common.

Michelle Bridges recommends getting moving before Christmas. Picture: Supplied

“People can go from saying, ‘I’m going to be really, really focused on my health goals’ and once that’s been achieved they say, ‘Woohoo! I’m going to celebrate and just go rogue!’

“So how do we step away from this roller coaster lifestyle? We tweak, we plan, we use moderation, we lean into our habits and routines, we make exceptions for the occasional event and we don’t berate. Nor do we turn into a teenager whose parents have gone away for the weekend!”

Bridges says her mantra for 2022 is “be true to you” and encourages everyone to try new things and enjoy what’s important to them.

“Don’t worry about what other people think or what other people are doing,” she says. “We’ve all got our path to carve out when it comes to taking care of ourselves.”

Bridges has created this quick five-minute workout that can be done daily to get you moving. It can be repeated for a longer routine and the exercises varied to mix it up each day.

Michelle Bridges’ 12WBT starts on the first Monday of each month. The next round starts January 3.

Kickstart your health and fitness resolutions with these five exercises for a minute each. Alternatives help you mix it up, and do what’s best for you.

Michelle Bridges performing a squat. Picture: Supplied

Squats

Take your feet shoulder width apart and go down as if you were about to sit on a chair.

Make sure your chest stays lifted, your shoulders are down and your abdominal muscles are pulled in.

Try squat jumps, sumo squats, moving squats or pulse squats.

Mini runs

Try running to the end of the room and back to begin.

There are multiple ways you can do this.

Try ladder running, where you pretend you’re running in and out of the ladder.

Mix it up by running with your knees up or your heels up.

Michelle Bridges performs a plank. Picture: Supplied

Plank

Start by getting on all fours, keeping your torso flat, similar to a table top.

Hands directly under your shoulders as if doing a push up.

Stay in this position, shoulders away from knees and your abs tight.

Try a combination of the standard plank, side plank and moving plank.

Lateral movement

This is all about sideways movements.

Shuffle from one side of the room to the other.

Pretend you’re picking up something, like clothes or shoes.

Try side shuffling to the end of the room and drop into a push up.

Wall sit

Find a wall and get down to a 90-degree angle.

Draw the abs in, shoulders back down, head to the wall and chin in.

Hold this position and don’t use your hands.

To make it harder, try holding some dumbbells.

Originally published as Why Michelle Bridges says you should kick start 2022 fitness goals before Christmas