Weekend Ghost Check-in: Saturday December 26 - Boxing Day

Happy Boxing Day!

If I were one of the helpful people you usually check in with, I'd tell you all about how Boxing Day was originally a holiday for servants who had to work on Christmas Day and the name comes from gifts given in boxes, and so on and so forth.

If I were someone who liked shopping, I might tell you all about the Boxing Day sales that caused me to have to drop to 40 km/h on the freeway today because cars were banked up so far leading up to the DFO exit ramp.

But I'm afraid you're stuck with me, and I'm going to talk about cricket. Because that's what Boxing Day is really all about.

Back when I was growing up, it was always my mum's family on Christmas Day and my dad's family on Boxing Day, and that meant watching the Boxing Day test on TV and going out for a hit of cricket after lunch.

(And then half the family started working on Boxing Day and the other half wanted to go the test, so we changed the date.)

So for me (and many Australians), Christmas is all about cricket. And I love that.

Don't get me wrong - I like scrumptious Christmas roasts and gingerbread and iced fruit cake and mince tarts (and if your Christmas does not include pavlova, you are truly missing out), and I like catching up with loved ones, presents, excited children (in moderation), Christmas trees, traditional carols...

But you know what else I like? I like health and fitness! And how awesome is it when our family celebrations can incorporate everyone being active, getting some fresh air and DOING something together? It's brilliant when the grandparents get involved and the kids can see that bring active is something you can do your whole life.

So today's (optional) question is... Do you have any family/personal celebrations or traditions - from any time of year, related to anything - that incorporate elements of health and fitness?

I no longer have family get-togethers on Boxing Day, so there was no backyard cricket today. But never fear - I was still active! I took the kids to the pool this morning, and then did a blissful yoga practice with Kassandra this evening. (What do you mean, this is a Fitness Blender forum? What's Fitness Blender??)

How about you? Did you get in some backyard sport of your choice today? Or was there a real workout lined up for you? Or were you like me and taking it easy?

If you've had a rest day like me, don't forget that Michele is having her last 1000 calorie workout party for 2020 tomorrow. This one's not your typical "1000 calorie workout", but I assure you it will eat up those calories like nothing else. https://www.fitnessblender.com/videos/insane-cardio-workout-challenge-climbing-the-mountain-ladder-workout-hardest-workout-yet Only 60 minutes - no problem. Right??! Let's go climb that mountain! (And then we can cry about our sore hip flexors together on Monday. Don't say I didn't warn you.)

And now there's only food left to talk about - though I've already listed quite a few in this check-in. Are any of those on your menu for today? Are you having leftovers for dinner, or cooking something fresh? I had a mince pie earlier today, but I think that's it for Christmassy food. We have no leftovers in the house, so I made veggie tacos.

I've just spent 5 minutes thinking of cringe-worthy cricket puns to sign off with (and I came up with a lot), but you know what? I've just gotta be me. You can fill in your own dreadful cricket pun yourself: ____________________________________________________.

Thanks for checking in with me, Blenders! I hope you had a fabulous Boxing Day, and I look forward to hearing all about it. I'll be back tomorrow - with less cricket, I promise.