Despite Christmas being one of the best times of the year, it is easily the most gluttonous and luxurious. I feel that I speak for a lot of people when I say that Christmas is a time when eating a bit too much is allowed under the excuse of getting into the festive spirit; do I really need to eat a whole box of celebrations? Hey, why not, it’s almost Christmas… and don’t even get me started when it comes to pigs in blankets!
Here are a few tips that might help you dodge that feeling come mid January when you wonder how you managed to double your body weight in a month…
1: Stay hydrated
It may sound simple enough, yet water really does play a huge part in keeping your body healthy. Drinking water helps boost your metabolism, cleanse your body of waste, and acts as an appetite suppressant. This is especially important when you’ve drunk too much prosecco on those Christmas benders.
2: Set a challenge
Whether it is to run at least a mile every day over the Christmas and New Year period, or enter a marathon in a few months, having something to strive towards to can dramatically improve your motivation.
3: Create a fire playlist
It has been scientifically proved that music can increase your levels of endurance to up to 15%. Listening to music when you workout is a great distraction from both the (pain of the) workout and the general chaos of life. Creating a playlist to suit your workout pace can really help you to strive towards and smash your goals.
4: Treat yourself
Hahaha no, unfortunately not in the sense of another mince pie. Indulging in a new sports bra/vest or even something jazzy like wireless headphones can really help boost your levels of motivation.
5: A workout partner
Working out with a friend or family member makes exercise a little less arduous and boring. Not only does it make it more fun, but it adds an element of competition, which will push you both to carry on your fitness journeys.
6: Get outside
I know that it is getting to the bitterly cold point in the season, yet wintery walks aren’t given enough credit. Even if you don’t live somewhere deep in the countryside and are surrounded by a busy city, there is still normally at least a park that can be explored. Sometimes just getting out of the house, breathing in the fresh air and taking in the surrounding nature really does work miracles.
7: Don’t be a piggy
Yes, obviously Christmas is filled with some of the best foods, but that doesn’t always mean you need to eat three plates of the stuff. Ultimately the main source of weight gain over Christmas is due to the sheer desire to constantly stuff your face with chocolate. I know it’s boring, but sometimes self-restraint is needed.
Edited by Angelica Beier