‘Tis the season for too many mince pies and excessive alcohol consumption. With Christmas looming nearer and nearer, the festivities have begun and so has our decline in motivation to keep up our fitness and healthy eating regimes. Though this might be the easiest time to come up with excuses and delay achieving your fitness goals, we’d like to fast forward several weeks to January when you are inundated with diet books and wondering why you did not start sooner…
So, to avoid the festive guilt and ensure you start 2019 being the best version of yourself you can be, we’ve caught up with Personal Trainer and Co-Founder of FIT DELIS, Tom Forster, who offers his expert tips on overcoming the common festive pitfalls.
Stay active:
Maintaining your fitness regimes, particularly in the winter months when you are surrounded by mince pies and other festive delights, can be extremely difficult. However, to help you stay on track, it is more important than ever to try to incorporate some exercise into your everyday life, even if it means putting on your trainers and heading outside for a brisk walk in order to maintain your fitness routine.
If you are going away or won’t have access to your local gym, head outside and get those steps in and aim for a minimum of 10,000 to get your heart pumping.
Drink more water:
This is often people’s answer to everything, but it really is true. Over the festive period, as your alcohol intake is likely to increase, it is essential to increase your water intake to counterbalance and dilute any alcohol consumed and to help you feel fuller. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water a day as this can help you combat dehydration and relieve any bloating. This will also stop you feeling tired, keep your body hydrated and help flush the toxins out of your liver.
Pile up your plate with nutrients:
The more vegetables you eat, the more nutrients your body receives and the less room there is for all those unhealthy choices. A great and easy way of getting your essential proteins, vitamins and minerals is to consume an empowering shake which consists of, for example, wheatgrass, chlorella and other greens.
Recognise when you’re full:
Ensure you space your meals out and maintain a healthy eating pattern. Just because there are copious amounts of food & treats available, it doesn’t mean you should spend all day “grazing”. Eat because you are hungry, not because you are bored, or because the food looks appealing (as hard as it may be), otherwise you could end up eating a huge amount of calories without even realising it.
Take time for yourself:
You might not have the time to take a full spa day during the holiday madness, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take some time out for yourself. Between shopping, cooking, socialising and partying, aim to take at least 15 minutes each day to just relax and clear your mind. A few moments are all you need to unwind and recharge. Take an evening walk, listen to relaxing music, or lose yourself in a good book, to help renew your mind & body over the festive period.
Invest in rest:
Take advantage of the festive period to switch off from your working commitments, take a detox from the digital habits of today’s lifestyle and invest in the true and abundant benefits of resting your mind and body. Make a conscious effort for replenishment in order to enter the New Year on track.
