The holiday seasons has just kicked off – all those parties, dinners, lunches, good food, drinks, and even better company!
Did you know that on average, Australians put on 1-1.5kg over the Christmas and New Year’s holiday period? And what’s scary is that it’s rarely lost! What’s even more alarming is that those holiday kilos are almost always around the waist, which increases your risk for heart diseases and diabetes!
So what to do to avoid this happening to you?
EAT
‘Tis the season to indulge, and so you should! Keep in mind these rules, and you can enjoy the festive season without feeling guilty afterwards!
- Eat something before going to a party, to avoid scoffing down the first and last thing you see!
- Fill up on the foundations i.e. greens, legumes, grains, fruits, and proteins, and then if you have room left, sample the other foods
- Watch the portion sizes, and stop between each mouthful
DRINK
According to the Department of Health and Ageing:
For healthy men and women, drinking no more than two standard drinks in any day reduces your risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury over a lifetime.
Drinking no more than four standard drinks on a single occasion reduces the risk of alcohol-related injury arising from that occasion.
There’s nothing wrong with a few drinks during this time of the year, and your body’ll thank you if you keep doing the following.
- Alternate your drinks – drink a glass of water between each alcoholic drink
- Have days where you say ‘no’ to alcohol to give your body a break
- Avoid top-ups
MOVE
When we are out of routine, it can be hard to keep up with regular exercise, so here’s where incidental exercise become oh-so important.
- Walk as much as you can during this time.If you’re having family time, aim for some outdoor activities together. Do some squats when cooking a feast. Do some stair runs when grocery shopping. If you look around, there’re plenty of opportunities to get active!
- Holiday can be stressful times for many, and often when we’re stressed, we make poor food choices.So make sure you schedule time to de-stress – exercise is proven to be an effective way to help lower stress and anxiety
- If you’re travelling, pack a few light pieces of equipment to help you stay active. We have a program here just for you!
One last tip: SET A BIG GOAL FOR THE NEW YEAR!
People with big goals in the new year (e.g. running your first 5km?) are generally more conscious of their behaviours during this time of year, so to give themselves the best chance of achieving that goal. Need some help to set your next big goal? Check out this article here.
Hope these tips help you stay sane and slim during the holiday season! Enjoy this time of the year, and look after your body and mind!
