Staying healthy over the festive season is a common struggle for many people but it’s not impossible. The challenge is to find a balance between enjoying the celebrations and sticking to your goals and plan.
However, an all or nothing attitude can work against you. If you try to withdraw from all celebrations and refusing all festive foods, then you might just find yourself craving the exact things you’re trying to avoid.
Christmas time should be enjoyable and so too should end of year celebrations. And with a little preparation you can enjoy them without over doing it. Here are some tips on how to stay healthy while still enjoying the festivities:
1. Eat Before Heading Out
First, it is best that you eat something before heading out to visits, trips or family dinners. By doing so, you will no longer be tempted to eat a lot or overindulge yourself since you have already eaten. Skipping on meals is not a good idea either, because you will only be forced to eat more later.
2. Select The Treats
Make sure to select the treats that you eat in a wise manner. You should choose something that you can only enjoy during the holiday season and not something that is readily available all the time.
3. Avoid Skipping Meals
Don’t skip meals, especially breakfast! Even though it can be tempting to skip on certain meals, believing that it will make up for the treats you consumed in the previous day, don’t do it because it will only lead to counterproductive results.
4. Drink With Moderation
It is best to regulate your drinking since alcohol, coke or other juices will only add more calories to the ones you already eaten!
5. Be Active
You should still perform your fitness routine whenever possible and if you can’t do that, simply walk more, park your car some distance away from the store or just use the stairs!
6. Get Out Of The House
Make the holidays a family affair and plan outdoor activities where everyone is involved. Even a water fight in the backyard will burn a lot of calories and will keep the children entertained.
7. Don’t Skip Your Strength Workouts
Always remember to perform your strength training in order to maintain that muscle mass you worked hard to get. You might be tempted to use lightweights and just do some cardio, but you can burn just as many calories by lifting weights. And with all of those extra stakes you had on the holiday meals, you might even gain some extra muscle. And this is much better than gaining some extra fat.
8. Set Realistic Goals
You should set realistic exercise objectives. Aim for at least half an hour per day and you will be very happy when you will achieve that. If you plan one hour or more and not achieve it, you will only end up disappointed.
9. Enjoy Yourself
Also make sure to set realistic diet plans! Trying to restrain yourself totally from some foods will only make you eat more. Feel free to enjoy the treats that you really love, but in small portions.
10. Drink A Lot Of Water
This can keep you appetite at bay as well as keep you hydrated at all times. And it will also prevent a possible hangover if you overdo it with alcohol.
10. Eat Less and More Often
Distribute your meals evenly throughout the day, and do not eat everything at once. Instead of having 2 enormous meals, have 5 small ones. Eat your dinner earlier and have a nice walk before going to bed.
12. Prioritize Your Workouts
Try to do them early in the morning while everyone else is still sleeping. This way you will also avoid remarks like “Oh, come on! It’s Christmas…”
So there you go! Twelve simple tips that will help you avoid gaining weight during the Christmas holidays, but will also allow you to enjoy yourself and have a great time with your loved ones.
Keep healthy this Christmas!
