How to Keep Fit Over Christmas

Christmas, for many people, is a chance for a well earned break. You may be working full time, and looking forward to a few days with family, be home for the holidays after a tough semester at university or college, or just allowing yourself a break from your online studies, perhaps an online MBA. Every year, Christmas shopping seems to start a little earlier too. We also sometimes see this as an excuse to start the Christmas eating, drinking and partying a little earlier too, eh?! While it’s perfectly acceptable to pig out a little over Christmas, trying to keep as fit and healthy as you can will make it much easier to get back into your normal routine come January. This is especially important if you are training for an event. You’ll be amazed at how much your fitness levels can drop after only a few weeks.

Watch What You Drink

People are always surprised when they find out how many calories and how much sugar there is in their favorite alcoholic drinks. Sure, we’ve all heard of the dreaded beer belly, but that’s just beer, right? Unfortunately not. A glass of red wine can have up to 200 calories. Have the odd glass of wine, or beer, but try to drink spirits with a slimline tonic, and drink a glass of water between each alcoholic drink.

Eat Before You Go Out

Don’t be tempted to skip meals, thinking this will save calories. It’ll just make you more likely to eat bigger meals when you do, or make you want to snack later in the night. Instead try to eat smaller meals more often, so you aren’t tempted to over indulge.

Exercise

Now I’m not saying you need to go for a 10km run on Christmas morning (but I have been known to do this!), a few days off is fine, as is doing shorter workouts, or reduced intensity for the whole period. Just try not to stop completely for more than a few days. You will start to lose fitness, and the longer you leave it, the harder it will be to get back to where you were.

Get the Family Outside

You might not want to exercise for a few days, but why not get your whole family doing some outdoor activities. Ice skating is a great, festive family activity. Or you could just take a nice country walk, together as a family. Take the kids out on their new bikes if you can. Have some fun.

Smaller Portions

Have a little of everything. Don’t deny yourself any treats that you want. Just don’t go crazy. Have a chocolate every now and then,  but try to resist eating the whole box. The same goes for those mince pies.

Get Stuck in to the Sprouts

Sprouts are in fact a Christmas superfood. So, eat as many as you want. They are full of vitamins and minerals which will give your immune system a boost, and help keep you from getting any bugs over the holidays.

You can easily enjoy all Christmas has to offer, without losing your fitness levels and gaining a little extra weight. Maybe, try to limit any Christmas indulgence to Christmas week only, but don’t feel guilty for any diet slips. You’ll be back to your online studies, or the hard days at the office in no time (gah!)

Give yourself a little break. It is Christmas after all.

Elle