{"id":4039,"date":"2025-11-13T16:34:11","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T16:34:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/slimmingworld.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/?p=4039"},"modified":"2025-11-20T14:26:40","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T14:26:40","slug":"move-festive-fitness-barriers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/move-festive-fitness-barriers\/","title":{"rendered":"Break through your festive fitness barriers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Christmas is making its merry way closer, which&nbsp;means colder days, darker nights and busier diaries&nbsp;\u2013and these&nbsp;seasonal stoppers&nbsp;can make it tempting to&nbsp;put our activity plans on ice.&nbsp;However, something that has the power to&nbsp;improve&nbsp;our&nbsp;mood,&nbsp;help us sleep&nbsp;better,&nbsp;give us&nbsp;more energy and reduce&nbsp;our&nbsp;stress&nbsp;levels&nbsp;is probably&nbsp;much&nbsp;needed at this time of year.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our Slimming World groups are full of bright ideas for ways to keep moving through winter, expert support to help you overcome your personal challenges and simple strategies for getting started \u2013 or taking your fitness to the next level.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our unique active lifestyle&nbsp;programme&nbsp;ensures that you feel supported to get&nbsp;active at a pace that suits you and that you\u2019ll enjoy.&nbsp;And,&nbsp;as well as&nbsp;bringing a long list of amazing health and wellbeing benefits,&nbsp;activity&nbsp;\u2013 combined&nbsp;with our Food&nbsp;Optimising&nbsp;eating plan&nbsp;\u2013&nbsp;has been proven to help maintain weight loss long&nbsp;term,&nbsp;so you feel&nbsp;fantastic&nbsp;long after Christmas has been and gone.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some top tips for getting started&nbsp;with activity&nbsp;\u2013 and sticking to it&nbsp;come snow or shine!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/group-or-online-membership\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"122\" src=\"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SmallCTA-BelieveInASWChristmas25-SlimmingWorldBlog.jpg\" alt=\"Believe in a Slimming World Christmas - Join in the festive fun\" class=\"wp-image-14363\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What&#8217;s your festive fitness barrier?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Barrier:&nbsp;I don\u2019t have the right kit&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top tip:&nbsp;Start&nbsp;simple&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll get lots of ideas in your Slimming World group for&nbsp;activities&nbsp;that&nbsp;don\u2019t require a trip to&nbsp;a fitness superstore.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A winter walk is an easy&nbsp;way to&nbsp;weave more movement into&nbsp;your week, and needs no special gear.&nbsp;As long as&nbsp;you\u2019re comfortable,&nbsp;you\u2019re good to go.&nbsp;A&nbsp;quick weather check will tell you whether you\u2019ll want to grab your waterproofs, and if you\u2019re planning an after-work walk (or&nbsp;jog or bike ride) reflective clothing and&nbsp;lights will help you to stay safe.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Body-IndiaHarrris_SlimmingWorldBlog.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14279\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Slimming World Consultant Indy wrapped up warm for a winter walk. She&#8217;s set herself a step-count goal to keep her motivated, whatever the weather, and is on day 96 of completing her 10,000 steps a day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Barrier:&nbsp;I\u2019m too tired&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top tip:&nbsp;Buddy up&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Planning to exercise with an encouraging friend can really&nbsp;boost our&nbsp;commitment and&nbsp;provide&nbsp;the&nbsp;extra&nbsp;shot of&nbsp;motivation we all need from time to time. Making an activity date is just one of the \u2018foot out of the door\u2019 strategies you\u2019ll learn in a Slimming World group \u2013 we\u2019ve got simple solutions for every stopper, and&nbsp;weekly support&nbsp;will&nbsp;help you put them into practice.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/slimmingworld.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Kickboxing-BMBarriers-SlimmingWorldBlog.jpg\" alt=\"Kickboxing\" class=\"wp-image-7677\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Slimming World target member Kirsty found a willing pal to pair up with for a kick-boxing session.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Barrier:&nbsp;I find exercise boring&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top tip:&nbsp;Try something new&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If boredom\u2019s a barrier for you, banish it by doing something different. A mix-and-match approach will also make it easier to work your whole body and maximise the health benefits \u2013 and it will also increase your chance of finding an activity you really love and will want to stick to.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"http:\/\/slimmingworld.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Lizzie-FestiveFitnessBarriers-SlimmingWorldBlog.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4033\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Our target&nbsp;member&nbsp;Lizzie&nbsp;has&nbsp;fallen head over heels&nbsp;for&nbsp;hula-hooping, which helps her&nbsp;to maintain her&nbsp;3st&nbsp;8\u00bdlbs weight loss:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#00a868\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Your get-fit tool&nbsp;kit of Slimming World support&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When you join Slimming World, you\u2019ll get everything you need to guide, inspire and motivate you to increase activity at your own pace, including:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Our unique activity lifestyle programme, which is rooted in the psychology of exercise and totally tailorable to you.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>More than 90 on-demand activity videos to suit all abilities, with both standing and seated workouts available.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expert support to help you recognise and overcome your personal stoppers.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Activity awards to celebrate your success at every stage of your journey.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>More than 50 fitness-themed articles \u2013 plus member-exclusive podcasts \u2013 covering motivation boosters, exercise guides and activity ideas.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An online tracker to plan and record your activity.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A set of guided audio walks, for on-the-move motivation through your headphones.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Barrier:&nbsp;I\u2019m too busy&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top tip:&nbsp;Do something that fits&nbsp;into your day&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If an activity slots easily into our week, it\u2019s more likely that we\u2019ll do it regularly \u2013 and that\u2019s is how exercise becomes a lasting habit. Just as our Food Optimising plan will help you make easy changes to the way you shop, cook and eat, our active lifestyle programme will help you find enjoyable, achievable and sustainable ways of building fitness into your routine. And that doesn\u2019t have to mean scheduling a gym session or committing to a class. Whether it\u2019s a lunchtime lap around the block, energetic games with the kids or giving the cleaning an extra bit of welly, every bit of movement adds up to a more active lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/slimmingworld.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/LauraWinter-BMBarriers-SlimmingWorldBlog.jpg\" alt=\"Laura Winter at the gym\" class=\"wp-image-7678\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Slimming World member Laura sets aside time on Monday nights for a session in the gym.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Barrier:&nbsp;I don\u2019t know where to begin&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top tip:&nbsp;Start small&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Full-on fitness plans can feel overwhelming,\u00a0especially if you\u00a0have\u00a0a lot on your plate\u00a0\u2013\u00a0so don\u2019t worry about racing ahead before you\u2019re ready. Our active lifestyle\u00a0programme\u00a0has been carefully designed to help you take a step-by-step approach to\u00a0moving more\u00a0and working towards\u00a0the\u00a0awards is a great way to build activity levels slowly\u00a0and steadily, with support and encouragement all the way.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/slimmingworld.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Danielle-5WaysActivityCanReduceStress-SlimmingWorldBlog.jpg\" alt=\"Slimming World member Danielle standing on a rock in the countryside\" class=\"wp-image-7669\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:500px;height:500px\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Our member Danielle is feeling on top of the world after hiking around the Lake District \u2013 and every hike starts with a single step!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Barrier:&nbsp;Christmastime is family time&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top tip:&nbsp;Get them involved!&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For many of us, family is\u00a0a\u00a0big focus at this time of year \u2013 and\u00a0what better way to spend time\u00a0with your loved ones\u00a0than\u00a0by\u00a0doing something active\u00a0together? If you\u2019ve got excited children\u00a0(or grown-ups!)\u00a0counting\u00a0down the days, planning some activities for the Christmas break will help make the wait that bit\u00a0more bearable,\u00a0and\u00a0help\u00a0<em>you\u00a0<\/em>feel those fitness benefits while having lots of festive fun.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/slimmingworld.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/AshleyBeattie-BMBarriers-SlimmingWorldBlog.jpg\" alt=\"Ashley Beattie out for a walk\" class=\"wp-image-7679\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Ashley has lost 3st 4 1\/2lbs with Slimming World. She and her daughter bundled up and headed out on a winter walk, collecting ferns to add to their Christmas decorations as they went.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019d love to be more active and you\u2019re struggling with stoppers, we can help. Whatever\u00a0your barriers, we\u2019ll work with you to find a way\u00a0to break them down\u00a0\u2013 so\u00a0you can lead an active lifestyle that you\u2019ll love!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/group-or-online-membership\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"475\" src=\"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/LargeCTA-BelieveInASWChristmas25-SlimmingWorldBlog.jpg\" alt=\"Believe in a Slimming World Christmas - Join in the festive fun. Count down to Christmas with delicious food and drink \u2013 and still get the weight loss you want! Come along to group or join our digital service and find everything you need to slim through the season.\" class=\"wp-image-14364\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n    <section class=\"block-embedded-widget-area alignwide\">\n        \t\t\t<section id=\"mm-newsletter-widget-3\" class=\"widget mm-newsletter-widget\">\t\n\t\t<div id=\"mm-newsletter-widget\" class=\"mm-newsletter-widget-form\" data-thanks_page=\"0\" data-thanks_page_url=\"\" data-thanks_page_new_window=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"wrapper\">\n                <aside>\n                    <header>\n                        <h2>Free 7-day eating plan<\/h4>\n                    <\/header>\n                    <p>You&#8217;ll also get our email newsletter with recipes, inspiration and exciting special offers<\/p>\n                <\/aside>\n\n                <div class=\"form-wrapper\">\n                    <form action=\"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4039\" method=\"post\" id=\"newsletter-form\">\n\n                        <fieldset>\n                            <label class=\"input-label\">First name<\/label>\n                            <input type=\"text\" name=\"firstName\" placeholder=\"Enter your first name\" title=\"Enter your first name\" required>\n                        <\/fieldset>\n\n                        <fieldset>\n                            <label class=\"input-label\">Email address<\/label>\n                            <input type=\"email\" name=\"email\" placeholder=\"Enter your email address\" title=\"Enter your email address\" required>\n                        <\/fieldset>\n\n                        <fieldset>\n                                                            <div class=\"input-radio\">\n                                    <input id=\"classic-menu\" class=\"classic-menu\" type=\"radio\" name=\"menuType\" value=\"Classic\" checked>\n                                    <label for=\"classic-menu\">\n                                        I&#8217;d like the classic menu                                    <\/label>\n                                <\/div>\n                                                                                        <div class=\"input-radio\">\n                                    <input id=\"vegetarian-menu\" class=\"vegetarian-menu\" type=\"radio\" name=\"menuType\" value=\"Vegetarian\">\n                                    <label for=\"vegetarian-menu\">\n                                        I&#8217;d like the vegetarian menu                                    <\/label>\n                                <\/div>\n                                                                                        <div class=\"input-radio\">\n                                    <input id=\"vegan-menu\" class=\"vegan-menu\" type=\"radio\" name=\"menuType\" value=\"Vegan\">\n                                    <label for=\"vegan-menu\">\n                                        I&#8217;d like the vegan menu                                    <\/label>\n                                <\/div>\n                                                    <\/fieldset>\n\n                        <div class=\"button-wrapper\">\n                            <div class=\"g-recaptcha\" data-sitekey=\"6LdLR7cZAAAAAFDxo_6diZKq91dLeqE45o9GkrNL\" data-theme=\"light\" data-size=\"normal\"><\/div>\n                            <button class=\"submit is-secondary animation-light-background\" type=\"submit\" name=\"submit\">Sign me up<\/button>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/form>\n\n                    <p class=\"message-success\">Thank you for signing up. We just need you to verify your email address. Please check your inbox for a message from us and click on the verification link so we can keep you up to date with our latest menus, recipes and offers.<\/p><p class=\"message-error message-error-0\">Failed captcha.<\/p><p class=\"message-error message-error-1\">Please check your inbox for a message from us and click on the verification link so we can keep you up to date with our latest menus, recipes and offers.<\/p><p class=\"message-error message-error-3\">Good news, you&#8217;re already on our email list. Look out for emails from us packed full of recipe inspiration.<\/p><p class=\"message-error message-error-default\">Something went wrong.<\/p>                <\/div>\n\t\t    <\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/section>\t\n    <\/section>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/group-or-online-membership\">Join Slimming World<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Unblock your activity stoppers with these top tips &#8211; and feel your fabulous best come Christmas! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":14279,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[35,14],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4039"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4039"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4039\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14515,"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4039\/revisions\/14515"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14279"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4039"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4039"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4039"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}