HOW TO SURVIVE THE PARTY SEASON

As a personal trainer, I do miss the office environment at Christmas! I even miss the famous office Christmas party. As that season is upon us again, I thought I would share some tactics for coming out still on top for your results!

I guess for most people, there is that thing that normally gets pushed aside when the party season starts and that is healthy eating and exercise! Here are three top tips on staying careful even when the festive fun is flowing!

Hydrate On the day before a bit night out I would make sure you drink plenty of water. Alcohol tends to de-hydrate you and the headache is caused by your brain having no fluid around it therefore it is rattling round your head. I would definitely recommend drinking plenty of water the day before and also fitting in some water during the evening. This keeps you hydrated and also dilutes the alcohol so you don’t get too drunk, too quick.

Eating is not cheating. Make sure you have plenty of food on the day before the night out. Drinking on an empty stomach can make you drunk very quickly and potentially ruin the evening. I would also recommend eating as healthy as possible on the day itself to give you vital nutrients. Alcohol is poison after all and the body needs the good stuff to balance it out.

Still try and squeeze in a mini exercise session, whether it is a quick 20 minutes high intensity session or a quick Primal Flow or else an easy walk the next day…….just get the body moving however easy, long or short as possible. Getting the body to move helps to keep you on track, so you don’t have to start the New Year with a shock on the scales.

Few Other Thoughts.....

HOW TO OUT SMART A HOLIDAY BINGE

Moderate servings and a healthy attitude are a winning combination when there's lots to indulge in and you really can't say no.

~ As a host have a few non - alcoholic drinks on standby ~

~Don't serve or eat salted foods with pre - lunch or dinner drinks ~

~Avoid anything wrapped in thick pastry, soaked in oil or spread with animal fat ~

~Choose brown bread rather than white~

~ For Turkey soup, use skinned meat trimmed of all its fats ~

~ Politely declin

e or ask for a smaller portion of pasta/lasagne/timpana~

~Potatoes cooked in the drippings of the Christmas roast are delicious but deadly so Stay Back!~

~If your serving a Turkey, stuff it with chestnuts not sausage meat~

~If your dessert's a Christmas pudding, avoid brandy butter and cream~

****************WARNING SIGNS*******************

Voice Says " Everyone else is stuffing themselves, why shouldn't I?"

Tell Yourself "I don't want to feel like I've overindulged in a few hours' time so I'll just have a small treat, then when everyone's bloated I'll feel great!!"

Voice Says "Go on you deserve a few chocolates" Tell Yourself ‘’Yes I do deserve something really special but scoffing half a box of chocolates is not the sort of reward I want!"

Voice Says "I'm stressed out, food will make me feel better" Tell Yourself "Retire to a safe distance! Eating may help in the short term but I'll only be annoyed with myself and feel guilty later"

Voice Says "I'll start dieting again in the new year" Tell Yourself "Don’t give up now and blow all your hard work, it will only make things harder in the New Year"

FEEL PROUD THAT YOU HAVE STUCK TO YOUR DIET RESOLVE!!

So there you go! Some practical tips on how to limit the damage during this holiday season.