For many, Christmas is the time of plentiful amounts of food and drinking, both of which are superbly enjoyable but unfortunately January always comes along and reminds us all just how indulgent we’ve been. Everybody knows it is far too difficult to maintain strict dieting regimes with so much delicious food around, so here at HCX, we’ve compiled some top tips to keep the weight off throughout the Christmas period that really shouldn’t be too strenuous to follow.
1) No Chocolate Advent Calendars: Well you’ve got to start somewhere! No one needs a daily intake of chocolate and besides the little nativity calendars are far more festive.
2) Eat Slowly: If you cram in all your food at once, your body doesn’t have time to digest it and thus tell you you’re full; if you take your time, you’ll know when the tank is full!
3) Wear Tight Clothes or a Belt: The thought of eating too much when you’re feeling slightly restricted will not be an issue in the slightest!
4) Portion Size: On Christmas day, the lunch is always a highlight but just think about how many times you have felt too full for the rest of the day; lessen your portions and you won’t even notice that you’re missing out. Plus, just think how smug you’ll feel when they’re all complaining of overeating!
5) Drink Lots of Water: Water prevents you from feeling hungry and it is also necessary during such times of excessive alcohol consumption.
6) Boxing Day Run: I know it sounds hideous but honestly running on a nice, crisp wintery morning is the perfect hangover cure and it keeps the calories off!
7) Don’t Skip Meals: Your body is used to 3 meals a day so if you skip lunch and then go to a drinks party, you’ll devour all the nibbles; eat some fruit or raw vegetables before you go out to ensure this doesn’t happen.
8) Clean Your Teeth Before Going Out: Food and wine tastes disgusting when your mouth feels fresh and minty, it’s a fact!
9) Limit The Alcohol: Opt for a bucks fizz instead of the real deal and perhaps only 1 or 2 glasses of wine with the meal.
10) Find A Companion: Find a friend with the same aim of keeping the weight off as it will lower the chance of you putting on weight as you have the motivation not to.
However, this is supposed to be a party season after all, not a time for deprivation so remember to enjoy yourselves, just keep everything in moderation. Follow these simple tips and I promise, come January when your jeans are still an easy fit, you’ll be grateful that you said ‘no’ to that second mince pie!