We are at the pointy end of the year, Santa (the heart attack waiting to happen!) will be here any moment and I thought it a great time to give you all some tips.
You know I LOVE a tip, right? Well here is 10 for surviving Christmas and staying fit during that mad, mad time.
1. Don’t Break Your Exercise Routine
Just because you’re on holiday doesn’t mean your program goes out the door. If you have access to a gym then use it and if you don’t here you can try these at home with dumbbells. I’ve develop these workouts just for you:
- Leg workout
- Resistance band workout
- HIIT workout
- Abs
2. Limit Your Alcohol Intake
Try to sip on water in between all alcoholic beverages, this will (hopefully) ease your hangover the next day. Alternatives to full strength drinks and low sugar options:
– Wine spritzers (soda and wine 1/2 & 1/2)
– Low alcohol and low carb beer
– Fresh lime, vodka, soda
Cocktails:
– Champagne and soda & mint
– Tequila, soda, lemon juice and mint
– Gin & soda
– Bloody Mary
– Vodka, muddled berry, soda and vanilla essence
– Whiskey on the rocks
3. Get Active On Christmas Day
Why not have a family game of backyard cricket, twister or table tennis? It may sound lame at the time but everyone will have a good old laugh plus you’ll burn at least 250 cals per hour
4. Select A Dessert You Love, Enjoy It Then Stop!
If you’re a sucker for a Christmas pud or maybe you pine over custard and ice cream, enjoy a sensible portion then stop. You’re not a kid, you don’t need to eat till you vomit.
It’s totally unnecessary to gorge sweet stuff all day and night. Those extra calories are only going straight to your ass anyway so why not minimise the damage?
5. Be Snack Wise
Snack on nuts, dill pickles, cheese, plain popcorn and carrot sticks with hummus & guacamole. Ditch the chips, chocolate covered nuts, jatz and lollies.
By avoiding the sugary based foods and opting for the higher fat products you’ll feel fuller and this will stop you snacking mindlessly.
Choose a few bits and pieces put them in a small bowl and pick at them throughout the course of the day. Being the girl or guy hovering over the snack table is 1. unattractive and 2. A little sad
6. Eat Your Meal Then Clear The Table Pronto!
We’ve all done it before; been the resident table scrap eater. Not necessary this year, we are about change!
Enjoy your Chrissie lunch or dinner, then burn some extra calories by clearing all the plates and place all the leftovers into storage containers for the holidays to follow. How easy! Temptation is avoided and you’ve got a few lunches ready to go
7. Dance It Off
Yep, you heard: DANCE! Crank your favourite tune (Christmas or non-Christmas tune) and get down. Try to shake your money maker for at least 20 minutes and you’ll burn at least 300 calories.
8. Continue To Snack Regularly
It’s really easy when on holidays to lose your ability to keep a routine. If you’ve got a good eating routine going already (snacking every 3 to 4 hours with smallish sized portions) keep it up during the holidays.
You don’t want your metabolism to slow down in the holidays nor do you want to lose muscle. It’s important to remember if you don’t feed your body, it looks inward for fuel (your muscles).
You definitely didn’t slog your guts out in the gym or with your trainer to lose it all, did you?
9. Avoid Excessive Consumption Of Salt & Sugar
No one likes feeling bloated, dehydrated and headachey. So avoid eating foods that are high in salt and sugar. You should aim to have 1200 mg of salt per day and no more than 6 teaspoons of sugar per day.
Avoid processed and packaged foods by opting for fresh veg, lean proteins, whole grains, full fat dairy and low sugar fruits such as berries and peaches.
10. Christmas Is A Time For Fun, Happiness & Balance
Remember enjoy your holiday and Christmas by exercising portion control, moderation and balance. Don’t aim to lose loads of weight over Christmas instead aim to maintain your results and keep active during your time off.
Once the holiday is over, you are mine! Training goes back into full swing and your regulated clean eating resumed.
