How to Start an Active Holiday Tradition

My grandparents' house, where I spend most holidays, is like a black hole—in a good way: Whenever I'm there, I spend most of my time sleeping, eating, and lazing about, pleasantly sedated by the combination of the blazing fireplace, the comfy blankets that Grandma knits and leaves on all of the furniture, and the inevitable food coma that results after one of our afternoon Pennsylvania Dutch feasts. My parents have actually asked me if I ever sleep in New York, since I seem to need a lot of catching up in that department whenever we're at Grandma and Grandpa's.

But this season, I'm determined to approach the annual trip differently. Holidays are all about tradition, and that's exactly what I need: A new tradition that keeps me, and my family, moving. So I talked to Nikki Glor, a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor at Crunch Fitness in New York City, and creator of her own NikkiFitness DVDs. Chances are, your family may be planning a similarly lazy couple of days; if so, here's now to get them (and yourself) out of the rut.

Pack the right gear
Whether you're heading to a friend's or relative's house for Thanksgiving or for New Year's, preparation begins before you even set foot out of your own door—by packing workout clothes and shoes. "The number-one excuse I get for people who can't work out while they're away from home is that they don't have their sneakers," says Glor. "I don't care if you have to squeeze them in: Make them fit in your bag. They're the one thing you can't borrow from someone else, and if they're there in your suitcase, they're going to remind you every time you go in there that you promised yourself you'd use them at least once on this trip."

Got extra room? Toss in a fitness DVD, a pair of Yoga Paws, resistance bands, or a set of aqua dumbbells that can be filled up with water when you reach your destination. And remind your travel companions, too: I'm emailing my sister right now and reminding her to pack her ipod and winter workout gear, so we can head out for a run on Friday morning.

Stay energized during your commute
Whether you're driving, flying, or taking public transportation to your destination, any long trip can zap your energy levels—especially if you don't plan ahead with healthy snacks. "Throw an apple or orange and a bottle of water into your bag, and you won't be tempted to stop at McDonald's along the way," suggests Glor.