The holiday season is a time of joy and gathering, but it often comes with the challenge of maintaining health and fitness. We swing between feelings of craving and guilt over food. Wishing we fitted into the little black party dress as we'd intended back in September, but guess what, we didn't quite stick to the plan. So we then move that goal forward to January 1st!
With rich foods and festive treats everywhere, many people worry about weight gain and fitness dips.
Is it possible to indulge in the celebrations while keeping your health in check? Yes!
In this blog post, I will share straight forward tips and strategies to help you stay balanced during the Christmas holidays.
Eat but Don't Eat for the Sake of It
The holidays are filled with tempting food at every celebration. It's easy to eat out of habit instead of hunger. To tackle this, practice mindful eating. This approach helps you be present and fully engage with your meals.
Before you start eating, pause and check if you are truly hungry. Ask yourself if this food will satisfy you or if you are just reacting to the festive environment. For example, instead of filling your plate with a little bit of everything, choose a few small servings of your absolute favorites, go for the pigs in blankets if you fancy them! Then savor.
Mindful eating helps you enjoy flavors and textures, making each bite memorable and preventing overeating. Research shows that people who eat mindfully can consume up to 20% fewer calories at meals, leading to better control over weight gain. Enjoy each mouthful and savor the experience!
Maybe a Friend Will Exercise with You
The Christmas break shouldn’t mean sacrificing your fitness routine. Reach out to a friend or family member and invite them to join you for exercise.
Working out with someone transforms fitness into a fun social event rather than a chore. Perhaps you have friends that don't have family nearby so for them a chance to hook up with someone and to do something out of the house could be a real treat. Or maybe the children or grandchildren need some relief from the i pad or latest device that they're glued to. Some activity would be a great way to limit that time.
It's easy to just end up sitting in front of the telly watching re-runs of old Christmas specials that you've seen countless times before. This year could be different.......
Plan some activities like taking brisk walks or even participating in local holiday runs or charity walks. What about some online yoga or pilates together. Or rent one of my Zumba videos on demand and get the family together to join you for a Zumba party!!
Working out with a buddy increases accountability and keeps you motivated. Plus, it’s a great way to catch up and enjoy each other’s company amid the holiday rush.
Don't Wait to Feel Bad on New Year's Day Because of Overconsumption
Many people wait until after the holidays to address weight gain or fitness declines, often falling into regret and self-criticism. Instead, if you know this is how you will feel, then tackle your health goals proactively.
Plan to remain active and eat mindfully over the next few weeks. Get some workouts in before Christmas Eve. For a festive feel, I will have some Xmas music in classes from next week. We all eat way too much on Christmas Day, but that's fine, just don't do it at every festive event you're invited to between now and New year. It's not compulsory!
Even small changes can make a difference. Committing to drink a glass of water before meals can help you feel fuller and potentially reduce calorie intake by 10% at each meal. Have the odd delicious 'mocktail' and reduce your alcohol consumption, we all know that the empty calories in alcoholic drinks are not helping our weight.
These conscious choices help you enjoy the holidays without worrying about January's fallout.
Allow Yourself to Have Fun Without Pressure
Remember that the holiday season is all about celebration and connection. It's important to engage in festive activities without the constant stress of strict health guidelines.
Make time for what brings you joy, whether that's baking holiday cookies, engaging in family games, or simply soaking in the moments with loved ones. It’s absolutely fine to treat yourself with festive foods.
Finding balance doesn’t mean neglecting your fitness routine. Integrate joy and wellness into your holiday plans. For instance, consider family activities that involve movement, like ice skating in
Brighton or Worthing, Ten Pin Bowling, swimming at the local leisure centre or an after-dinner stroll.
You may be surprised at how much these enjoyable moments contribute to both your happiness and physical activity levels.
When January comes around, you won't have the feelings of guilt or apathy, you'll be ready to embrace your new year's resolutions with bullish optimism, because you made some effort during the holiday.
Embrace the Spirit of the Season
Striking a balance between health and enjoyment during the holiday season is entirely achievable. By practicing mindful eating, exercising with friends and or family, proactively planning your health goals, and allowing yourself to enjoy the festivities, you can celebrate Christmas and New Year in a fulfilling way.
Keep in mind that the Christmas holiday period is temporary.
Enjoy your celebrations, the food you relish, and the moments you share. Spending time with family and friends is what for many is the real spirit of Christmas.
Whatever you are doing, and however you end up spending your Christmas and New Year, I wish you a happy and healthy break.
The last class before Christmas will be Zumba Gold on Monday 23rd December and the first class back in January will be Zumba Gold on Monday 6th January.
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