For the majority of people Christmas day is a welcome excuse to relax and indulge without feeling guilty. It is considered a rest from their exercise regimes free from guilt, so they can enjoy time with family and friends. And with good reason- if you can’t have a day off on Christmas, when can you, right?
But there are also many closet Christmas fitness devotees who secretly crave a work out on Christmas day, but feel shameful admitting it. Typically, we can feel guilty and shameful for not exercising, but as Christmas day is upon us, the roles are reversed.
I call them the elves of the fitness world – the Workout Elves – slipping into the darkness of the unsociable hours just to squeeze in a little more fitness in preparation for Christmas Day. Or there are the more courageous ones who brave their final slogging in the daylight hours with risk of being sprung. You may have one in your presence as there are many of them, but they will not disclose their identity for fear of interrogation.
They’re working late into the night on Christmas Eve, squeezing in their finest workouts. They’ll slip into the gym at 4am on Christmas morning before Santa Claus and his arrival, scouting out their final sweat session. However, they will only report to their fitness duties when you are sound asleep in your bed and slink back into bed before the kids awaken. When you open your weary eyes it will be like they never left.
When gifting obligations have culminated, kids are focused on their new toys and everyone has eaten themselves into a profound slumber, they may sneak into the afternoon sun for a quick run or a few push-ups. And if sleeping is not in your family’s genetic makeup, it would not be unheard of for them to mask a round of burpees, mountain climbers and squat jumps with a make believe trip to the toilet.
It is difficult to spot a Workout Elf, but there are telltale signs that you can look for on Christmas day. Workout Elves will never attend Christmas lunch without their sneakers. Being opportunists, they will pounce on any chance to get their work out done. If they happen to suggest fitness challenges or disguise burpees and planking as drinking games, you may have one in your midst.
However, if you manage to uncover their identity, you must refrain from disclosing it. The last thing you need is a cranky elf with no Christmas spirit!
Don’t be mistaken though, these original elves are not in it for the calorie deduction or the six-pack, but simply because in doing so, they are following their bliss (not to mention their mental sanity). Just like a thirsty man and his slab.
So if you want to live another day, the best thing you can do if you are blessed with the presence of a Workout Elf on Christmas, is let them do their exercise in secrecy without judgement. Just as you don’t want to be made to feel guilty for eating too much Christmas pudding, they would like to do their burpees guilt-free.
Plus, a shot of endorphins will make them the happiest little Santa’s helpers you have ever laid eyes on. After all, Christmas is about giving, right?
Merry Christmas and a big thank you for reading my blog entries this year! Looking forward to 2016…
The Runner's Ink 