The holidays are my favorite time of year, and also the time my routine gets tested the most. Between Friendsgiving, office parties, travel and late nights, the gym is usually the first thing to go. Here’s the simple plan I use to stay strong and feel good from Thanksgiving through New Year’s, without missing the fun. — Cami Del Toro
My rule for the season: shorter, not skipped
Most of the year I follow a full weekly split, and you can see all of it in my workout routine. In November and December I stop trying to be perfect. Instead of hour-long sessions, I aim for thirty minutes, three or four times a week. A short workout I actually do beats a long one I keep pushing to tomorrow.
The other rule is no guilt. A holiday dinner is not a reason to punish myself in the gym the next morning. I train because it makes me feel good, and I eat the pie because it’s the holidays.
My weekly holiday schedule
- Monday: Lower body strength. Squats, Romanian deadlifts, hip thrusts and walking lunges.
- Tuesday: A long walk or a hike, at least 45 minutes outside.
- Wednesday: Reformer pilates or a mat class for my core and posture.
- Thursday: Upper body and arms. Rows, shoulder presses, push-ups and a few sets of curls.
- Friday: My 20-minute circuit (below) before a night out.
- Weekend: Something fun and active: a beach walk, a bike ride or a dance class with friends.
If a week gets crazy, I keep Monday and Thursday and let the rest go. Two strength days a week is enough to hold on to what I worked for all year.
The 20-minute circuit I do anywhere
This is my go-to for hotel rooms, my mom’s living room or a busy morning. No equipment needed. Do each move for 40 seconds, rest for 20 seconds, and go through the list four times:
- Bodyweight squats, slow on the way down.
- Reverse lunges, alternating legs.
- Glute bridges with a two-second squeeze at the top.
- Push-ups, on my knees when I’m tired.
- A forearm plank, keeping my hips level.
It’s short enough that I can’t talk myself out of it, and it leaves me feeling awake and strong before a party.
Walking is my secret weapon
If I had to pick one habit for the holidays, it would be walking. I try to get eight to ten thousand steps every day. In LA that usually means a morning walk by the beach or a loop around my neighborhood with a coffee. After a big holiday meal, I always suggest a family walk. It helps with digestion, it gets everyone outside and some of my favorite conversations happen on those walks. My favorite winter walks around the city are in my guide to winter in Los Angeles.
How I eat during party season
I don’t diet in December. I just keep a few easy habits so I feel like myself:
- A real breakfast. Eggs, Greek yogurt or a protein smoothie, so I’m not starving by the time the party starts.
- Water before everything. A big glass when I wake up and one between every drink at a party.
- Protein and veggies first. At a buffet I fill half my plate with those, then enjoy whatever looks amazing.
- Dessert I really want. I skip the store-bought cookies and save room for the homemade pie.
Sleep and recovery
Late nights add up fast. I protect my sleep the nights I don’t have plans, stretch for ten minutes before bed and take a warm bath or a long shower after a tough workout. A quiet night at home is part of my fitness plan too, and my favorite ways to rest are in my cozy night-in guide. When I want a real reset, I plan a slow weekend away, like my Palm Springs winter getaway.
What I wear to the gym in winter
LA winter mornings are chilly, so I layer: a matching set, a cropped zip-up or a cozy oversized sweatshirt and clean white sneakers. A cute set honestly makes me want to go. I peel the layers off once I’m warm and throw them back on for my coffee run after. The sets I’m stocking up on this year are in my Black Friday wishlist.
Staying motivated through New Year’s
I write my workouts in my calendar like appointments, find a friend to train with at least once a week and keep a little note on my phone of how I feel after each session. On low-energy days, I tell myself I only have to do ten minutes. I almost always end up doing more. And when January comes, I’m not starting over; I’m just picking up where I left off.
Want to see my workouts in real time? Follow me on Instagram @Camiibby3, where I share my gym days, my routines and everything in between.
Looking for the full map of my fashion and beauty posts? Start with my style guide.
For more of how I live in this city, open my Los Angeles guide.
Every holiday post in one place lives in my holiday season hub.
FAQ
How does Cami Del Toro stay fit during the holidays?
I keep my workouts short and frequent: three 30-minute strength sessions a week, a daily walk, lots of water and protein, and no guilt about party nights.
What is Cami Del Toro’s quick holiday workout?
My 20-minute circuit is squats, reverse lunges, glute bridges, push-ups and a plank, 40 seconds each with 20 seconds of rest, four rounds through.