Staying on track this Christmas

IT IS CHRISTMAS! I don’t know if you are excited, but I know that I am. It is an incredibly busy time of the year with a lot of socialising, festive celebrations and treats to indulge in. With that in mind, I have come up with a few tips that I have used over the years to keep on track but also fit in all the fun things.

Merry Christmas Everyone.

1. Stay Hydrated.

This is something that a lot of people slip during the festive season. We get carried away enjoying ourselves (which may include drinking alcohol) and forget to ensure that we are still drinking enough water throughout the day. Hydration is a key element in general but even more so when we are busier and not keeping to our usual routine.

2. Planning

If you know that you have 3 Christmas parties to attend too in a week then you know that you have to keep on track of your macros. Eating out doesn’t always help us when we are trying to achieve a fitness goal, but it can be managed. So, planning ahead where possible will come in handy and still means that you can go out and enjoy yourself for those yummy Christmas meals. Your eating habits may need to change a little if you are out a lot, cutting back calories so you can actually attend social events.

3. Sleep is a priority

This is a simple one. Lack of sleep can add up very quickly and leave you feeling sluggish and demotivated. Regardless of what time of the year it is, we need to ensure that we are allowing our bodies to rest.

4. Exercise in the mornings

It is a lot harder to do this in the winter but believe me it will help you in the long run. With gyms being closed a lot over the Christmas period, you need to make sure you are doing something in the morning. Go out for a good hour walk before the day begins and it will help you massively. It boosts your metabolism and mood and also leaves you feeling fresh for the day ahead.

5. Portion control

I know this isn’t what you want to hear but it will make a difference. Making sure you are still getting the right amount of food will keep you on track. I am not saying that you need to cut out chocolate whilst everyone else is munching away. It is about portion control and sizes. We eat A LOT of food during Christmas and a lot of that food is not the best for us. So just making sure you are getting the right portion of veggies, and good sources of carbs/protein/fats into your system is key. But also allowing yourself to eat a mince pie or enjoy some of your favourites treats.