Let’s be open, real and honest – unless you get a massive bout of gastro across December, there are not many people out there getting slimmer over the festive season! Between the office Christmas parties, BBQs, family gatherings and social Sunday sessions, December tends to be a whirlwind of finger food, bubbles, beer and general consumption. It’s probably completely viable to gain up to 3kg over the week between Christmas and New Years right?! But guess what – it doesn’t HAVE to be like this? “Christmas” doesn’t have to equal “Fatness” and you can actually enjoy the holiday break without going completely nuts and ruining all your hard work. Here are my “Top 3 Tips To Avoid The Festive Season Fatness”
- Don’t “Call It” too early – there’s no reason you can’t train right up until Christmas Day
Yep we get it, it’s the end of year wind down, but for some clients, the shutting up shop and jumping off the bandwagon starts on December 1st. If you stop training and committing December 1st, that’s 4-5 weeks off plan – there is a lot of potential damage that can be done in this time, so take that temptation away from yourself and continue to stick to schedule right up until the main event. If you can maintain a regular training regime in amongst all the food, celebrations and parties, you will 100% be better off for it not only on your waistline, but also in the New Year when you make your fitness comeback.
2. You Either Eat or Drink – not both
One sure fire way to add centimetres, gain body fat and feel bloated is to smash both the alcohol tab AND the finger food selection….or to drink yourself silly at the work Christmas Party and steer your uber home via drive through Maccas. #badmove. To put it in simple terms, when you drink alcohol, your body focuses on burning off the alcohol first, which means that whatever food you eat will essentially stored as fat. You are actually better committing to a night of just drinking, or forgo the booze and noms the food! Both options better than the combination of the two
3. Eat regular “normal” meals between events
You know events are going to be calorie laden food – spring rolls, fried calamari, mini sandwiches, the works – why make matters worse and eat this type of food when you’re not there? Try to stick to your clean eating, healthy and nutritious meals when you’re not out partying – this will not only make the event snacks more enjoyable, but you’ll saving the needless calories too.
So as you head into festive season, remember that you don’t have to go all out nuts and shove everything in your face. You can enjoy the consumption of treats and booze without making it in excess. Keep your training consistent and keep working hard – the more you put in effort wise, the easier it’ll be in January when you make your entrance into 2017 healthy lifestyle times.