by Brooke Varney
As Christmas is fast-approaching and shops, streets, and restaurants are beginning to kick their holiday cheer into high-gear, we can’t help but get all kinds of excited. However, lots of things we love about “the most wonderful time of the year” can sadly end up making us look not so wonderful once the festivities have died down, namely our favorite holiday foods. We’re only human, so we don’t recommend forgoing delicious and unavoidable holiday treats altogether, but instead, finding a workout plan that works for you so the effects won’t be as severe. Whether you want the body of a Victoria’s Secret Angel, or just want to keep healthy and fit, we have just the workouts to fit any criteria. Bonus: You can do any of them from the comfort of your own home!
The Tracy Anderson Method
With countless celebrity clientele including Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, and Nicole Richie, Tracy Anderson is one of the most in-demand trainers in Hollywood. If you can’t make it to one of her New York or California studios or pay the hefty fee of a personal training session, never fear. Her Metamorphosis program allows you to have a customized set of workout DVDs based on your body type delivered straight to your door, fitness guide, and more. Individual DVDs, workout equipment, and clothing are also available on her website.
Ballet Beautiful
Everyone wants a dancer’s body, and what better way to get one than mastering workouts designed by a professional ballerina? Mary Helen Bowers has trained Victoria’s Secret Angels Erin Heatherton and Lindsay Ellingson, and not to mention Natalie Portman for her role in Black Swan. Combining the athleticism and grace of ballet, Mary Helen has created exercises and stretches to help anyone achieve a sculpted, toned physique. Along with DVDs and videos that can be accessed online, Ballet Beautiful also offers live online classes and private training that can be streamed straight to your computer.
Tone It Up
Any workout that takes place on a beach with waves crashing in the background automatically becomes a lot less dread-worthy. It also helps when your trainers are cute and bubbly as can be. Featured in Glamour, Shape, and Women’s Health Magazines, not only do best friends Karena and Katrina allow you to bring a piece of the beach to your home with their exercise DVDs, but also regularly post workouts to their 400,000+ subscribers via their YouTube channel. They also post videos with their favorite healthy recipes, health, and lifestyle tips.
Victoria’s Secret
For anyone who’s fantasized about becoming a Victoria’s Secret Angel (and let’s be honest, who hasn’t?), achieving the body of one has become just a little bit easier. Victoria’s Secret’s YouTube channel’s #TrainLikeAnAngel series of videos offer tips and tricks for getting a runway-ready body, courtesy of professional trainers and models Candice Swanepoel, Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Lindsay Ellingson. Whether you desire a targeted or full-body workout, the channel offers short videos with quick tips on how to perfect any area.
Davina Fit in 15
We’ll admit, not having enough time to work out is quite a convenient excuse for us. There just simply aren’t enough hours in the day to drag ourselves to the gym and spend ages exercising. For anyone else finding themselves in the same conundrum, this DVD is perfect. It includes four high-intensity 15-minute workouts for cardio, arms, legs, and core, courtesy of fitness guru Davina McCall. Also included are two different sessions of cool down and relaxation stretches, in case you have a few more minutes to spare. At just £9.00, it’s a no-brainer!