No matter how disciplined we are, this is the time of year when all those good, healthy habits that we’ve worked so hard to maintain all year can all to easily go straight out of the window.
The sushi and salads are replaced by mince pies, the grilled chicken breast turns into roast Turkey with all the trimmings and your 2 litres of water a day gets diluted by one too many glasses of seasonal cheer. (Sorry – no matter how many Lychee Martinis you drink, they’re still not part of your 5 a day.)
Personally, I’m a sucker for a bit of seasonal cheer, so as my gift to you, here are a few tips to help minimise at least some of the damage:
* Do the basics: If there’s an alcohol-fuelled evening ahead, eat a proper breakfast- it’s the most important meal of the day (porridge with chopped bananas is my slow-release carb of choice this time of year) and make sure you drink at least 2 litres of water a day.
* When you’re out, actually eat the canapes at the party (arrive early – the healthy ones always go first!). They’ll help you avoid the munchie-driven late night dash to the kebab shop.
* If you’re going to wear heels, you may as well go for skyscrapers – counterintuitive as it sounds, you’ll work your calves a lot more! If they’re pointy rather than a wedge you’ll need far more core control as they have a very limited base of support – so they’ll make your abs work harder, too.
* If you’re going to dance, dance. A night spent getting down with your bad self is great exercise, and you’ll burn even more calories if you get your arms involved – overhead is best.
* Lastly (and I know I’m on a sticky wicket with this one), if you’re going out drinking, please do so in moderation.
Have a very merry Christmas – just remember that while Christmas pud and brandy butter are a marriage made in heaven, so are New Year and resolutions.
