During the holidays, I could spend all day curled up on the sofa, watching Young Sheldon re-runs with the boys. But, over the years, I’ve found that the secret to enjoying big family gatherings is to take breaks by heading out for a walk, ideally while listening to a funny podcast. Today, in partnership with lululemon, five women share how they move their bodies during the holidays…
Christine Han, photographer
Catch-up walks: Hiking with my mom and sister is the best part of every visit! We leave the men and kids at home and go out for as long as we like, talking and just being with each other.
Dressing for wintry weather: Sometimes we hike someplace warm, like Sedona, Arizona (above), but we usually spend the holidays in the Chicago suburbs. None of us mind the cold air. My previous lululemon coat lasted for 10 years, and now I have my eye on this rain coat.
Favorite lululemon styles: I’ve worn these high-rise leggings for years. The 25″ inseam is a perfect length for petite women like me. And I love their fanny pack so much I’ve given it to at least five people, including my mom and sister.
Hunter Harris, culture writer
Revitalizing core workouts: While I’m running between my relatives’ houses, solo parenting my dog, and keeping up with my inbox, the gift I can give myself is 40 minutes with noise-canceling headphones and a random core workout on Instagram.
Travel essential: A thought that would’ve been unthinkable even two years ago: I am now that friend who asks if the hotel has a gym. They got me girls.
Go-to lululemon styles: I’m into this reversible sports bra, and I always reach for their comfy long-sleeve tees (I love anything ribbed for layering when temperatures drop).
Nicki Sebastian, photographer
Exploring on foot: I’m an avid distance runner, and my favorite way to get to know a new place is to quite literally run right through the middle.
Racing with strangers: I love signing up for a destination road race — it’s the perfect blend of sightseeing, people-watching, and soaking up that buzzy collective joy you can only get when thousands of strangers suddenly become your personal cheer squad. My latest one was the Monterey Bay Half Marathon.
Favorite lululemon styles: I never leave home without my tiny-but-mighty run belt, as well as my beloved thermal high-rise running tights, which are basically a warm hug for your legs.
Ruth Chan, illustrator
Surfing in the mornings: Heading to the beach to surf is one of my favorite ways to start the day. And during the holidays, I love a good hike with friends or family filled with random yet sincere conversations. Immersing ourselves in nature always builds beautiful memories.
Hike-friendly lululemon styles: I never understood what “buttery-soft” meant until I wore the Align leggings and shorts. They feel so good. And the studio pant is perfect to pull on after being in the water.
Alison Piepmeyer, marketing consultant
Daily routine: I’m one of those people who will talk your ear off about the benefits of getting 10k steps a day. I’ve always been a big walker, but that stretch between Christmas and New Year’s (when the days blur, and sunlight feels nonexistent) can REALLY dip my mood. So, I start each morning with a long walk — rain, snow, or shine.
Group exercise classes: This winter, I booked a few hot yoga classes as a way to carve out some time for myself. There’s something about moving in a warm, dark space (a womb?) that helps beat the winter blues. I wear high-rise shorts in black for hot yoga, but I didn’t realize they come in so many colors! Now I want them all. And when walking in the winter, I’m partial to these joggers in classic gray.
When the family is stuck inside: My husband, our kids, and I will jump around the house to Chappell Roan. Thirty minutes of “Pink Pony Club” on repeat is surprisingly effective cardio.
A few more lululemon styles we love…
Do you work out while visiting family or traveling over the holidays? Any tips for beating the winter blues?
P.S. “How walking (just walking!) changed my life.”
(This post is sponsored by lululemon, a brand we love. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Cup of Jo.)
