Have yourself a healthy little Christmas
With Christmas just around the corner and the party season in full swing, thoughts of health and fitness are cast to the back of our minds. Hiding under a cute Christmas jumper may seem like the perfect MO but come January the literal safety blanket will be shed. In a season associated with excess here are some ideas on how to keep on track whilst tucking into that turkey and snaffling those Chocolate Oranges.
Moderation
It’s a myth that calories don’t exist on Christmas- I know, shocking. Control your portion sizes- eat what you like, just be conscious of how much. A good tip is interspersing each alcoholic drink with a soda water or something soft. Your waistline and your head will thank you the next morning. At the same time as being aware of your intake, don’t deprive yourself either.
“take your own dish to a party or Christmas lunch. Not only will you look helpful and thoughtful it also means that you have at least one healthy option”
TYO
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve been given is to take your own dish to a party or Christmas lunch. Not only will you look helpful and thoughtful it also means that you have at least one healthy option in a sea of cauliflower cheese and stuffing. If you don’t want to look fussy or un-grateful, ring your host ahead of time and discuss your idea and to help match the rest of their spread.
Pre-exercise
If you know you’re going to be overindulging at a Christmas party or an extended Christmas lunch, take the night before to have a workout. For example, have an extra half an hour in the gym or try a Pilate’s session before bed. Not only will it take the guilt out of that extra glass of fizz or just one more pig in a blanket, you’ll look great with that post exercise glow.
“It may feel good to take a rest but trust me it will be so much harder trying to pick up where you left off in January.”
Don’t give up your routine
If you take a break over the holidays you are going to feel it when you start again in the New Year. It may feel good to take a rest but trust me it will be so much harder trying to pick up where you left off in January. Take advantage of the empty gym over Christmas, modify your workouts to be a bit shorter or a little less intense but keep it up. Even if it’s a reduced, a bit of exercise is better than stopping all together.
P.S.
A workout is a great excuse to have some time to yourself, away from the in-laws and the overly excited children.
Work on weight maintenance instead of weight loss
There is too much going on to worry about shedding pounds over Christmas, instead, move the focus to maintaining your pre-festive weight. Nothing lost, nothing gained means you can pick up where you’ve left off. The conveyor belt of dense meals can be a daunting barrier to this goal over the holidays, so why not have something light, like a Kendalife shake to give you a break. Having this tip in mind can help ease those January blues- having one less thing to worry about as the new year starts.
The bottom line is don’t be too hard on yourself. You will encounter setbacks (usually in foil wrapping) and gym-ing in the dark is never fun but you can do it! Fitness over the holidays may seem like a drag but overindulgence has never looked good- and is always regretted. Be mindful, be healthy but have fun and be kind to yourself.