Christmas is a time for joy, giving and receiving and along with that it's also a time of over indulgence. What with all the Christmas parties, nights out, 12 pubs shenanigans combined with the never ending nibbling on sweets, treats and all things sugary (I particularly like Ferero Roche myself) - an extra few pounds of 'holiday weight' is inevitable right?
The thing is, if you follow that train of thought you're setting yourself up for failure before Santa even thinks about stopping over with the unwanted present that nearly everyone gets - weight gain. To help you battle the bulge over this holiday season I've put together 7 tips that'll help you stay nice and lean through the holidays and who knows you might even come out the other side of Christmas looking and feeling better than ever.
1. Hydrate first thing in the morning.
We are generally dehydrated when we wake up and we often confuse this with hunger. First thing you should do when you wake up in the morning is drink a large glass of water as well as a cup of hot water and lemon. Don't forget to brush your teeth and look pretty too.
2. Don't go anywhere hungry.
If you're going to a dinner party or get together - fill up on a healthy nutritious fibre rich meal beforehand. You'll be less likely to indulge if you're already full - sounds simple, it works.
3. Stay active.
Make sure to stay active over the Christmas and New Years season. The excuse that the gym or health club is closed is non starter, you can easily workout at home with minimal or no equipment. You can even get outdoors and participate in many of the festive charity walks or runs. There really is no excuse.
4. Split deserts with someone.
We all like our indulgences and trust me I'm no different. If you're at a Christmas party or get together and really want some desert, have some and split it with someone else. This way you get to satisfy your craving while halving the calorie count. Better still bring along your own desert.
5. Avoid watching TV and eating.
This may be the biggest one. Habitually we all associate eating with watching TV and vice versa. Make it a rule that all meals must be eaten together at the table and not while watching the 'Only Fools and Horses' Christmas special.
6. Stick to the 80/20 rule.
If you eat super clean 80% of the time there is absolutely no reason why you cannot enjoy your favourite foods the other 20% of the time. A little bit of planning goes a long way. Would you rather get fat over Christmas or do a small bit of planning and still be able to enjoy whatever you want?
7. Make the decision.
A lot of what we do is decided well before we ever do it. This Christmas, instead of settling that weight gain is a foregone conclusion - make a conscious decision to come out the other side of the holiday season looking and feeling better. Make a promise to yourself and stick to it, then reward yourself when you succeed with some new clothes in the January Sales.
I love Christmas and I'm especially excited about this one, you just can't beat turkey, ham and all the trimmings. My Christmas feasts are going to be guilt free this year, yours can be too. Follow these simple tips and you can enjoy all that this holiday season has to give without having to spend your Christmas vouchers on buying clothes a dress or pants size bigger because you gained weight.
John Mulry is a Weight Loss Expert, Lifestyle Enhancer, Personal Trainer, Writer, Speaker and the owner of Expect Success Fitness Galway Personal Training.
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