This time of year it’s always so tough to stick to your healthy food plan and fitness goals and it’s really not the end of the world. We all over-indulge a bit over the festive period, but it’s a time for family and food, so it’s only right to have an extra few roast potatoes… and yorkshire puddings… and chocolate… and cake… You get the point! 😉
My family do a standard Sunday roast like a lot of people’s Christmas Day so you can imagine what Christmas dinner is like in the Meffan household. There’s a wonderfully, terrible amount of food!
I already know that I’m going to just enjoy that dinner and all the trimmings… and all of the chocolate for the few days (weeks) surrounding Christmas Day, and I really don’t think that’s a bad thing. I love eating well and staying fit, but it’s time to unwind and not be so hard on ourselves.
If you’re after some realistic little tips to help not take the indulgence too far and have a healthy Christmas, then have a little read below…
1. JUST 15 MINUTES
You don’t need to spend an hour at the gym on Boxing Day (unless you want to) or go for a 10k run on Christmas Day morning, just a short 15 minutes of sprints or a mini abs workout (this one is great!) will have you feeling fresh and ready for the festivities without taking up too much time. OR JUST HAVE REST DAY, like I’ll be doing! 😉 Plan your week around Christmas Day so you’ll have already done a few workouts to help you feel great.
2. YOGA & STRETCH
Let’s be honest, the above tip is unlikely to happen on Christmas Day and why should it!? IT’S CHRISTMAS. Of course if you want to get a sweat on, then 100% go for it, but if not, maybe just a soothing stretch or a little bit of yoga is for you. Rather than pushing yourself and not enjoy it, I recommend doing a nice light yoga session and/or stretch. One yoga app I recommend is Yoogaia – as well as having live yoga classes, they also have some that you can download and do in the comfort of your own home.
3. BREAKFAST
Start the day with a nutritious breakfast and you’ll be more inclined to follow suit for the rest of the day. AÂ firm favourite amongst my friend’s families is to have salmon and eggs, which is a brilliantly nutritious option… why not throw in half an avocado too as it’s Christmas! Or click here to try my festive pick-me-up green smoothie – it’s delicious.
4. LOAD UP THE VEG
We’re all going to treat ourselves this week and next, there’s no denying it, but as well as that extra Yorkshire pudding and those Christmas tree chocolates, be sure to load your plate full of vegetables so that you’re not missing out on those all important nutrients!
5. PICK YOUR FAVOURITE
If you’re anything like me then you’ll be nibbling on everything in your sight… crisps, nuts, chocolate, cheese, and so on. Fortunately I don’t really drink alcohol, so I don’t have that to contend with, but I try to pick my favourite treat out of the above and that’s the only one I allow myself to have. It works for at least the first few hours (minutes), which is better than nothing! 😉
At the end of the day, what I’m trying to say is don’t beat yourself up for enjoying the festive break and letting your health and fitness regime go a little AWOL. It’s all about having that balance and knowing that after the festivities, you’ll be back to your sweaty vegetable-eating self! 😉
MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL! x