The holiday season is fast approaching which means two things: over-indulging and slacking! Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, it’s all too easy to have a few too many handfuls of the communal Quality Street tin, or get dragged out for yet another session of festive team bonding (aka lunchtime mulled wine). And when its cold and grey, the last thing you feel like is punishing yourself in the gym.
AGI consulted Broadcaster and Adventurer Hannah White and Nutrition Expert Ross Currie for some top tips to help you avoid the seasonal weight gain and feeling of guilt.
- Despite there being an endless offer of food during the festive period, make time for breakfast (think omelette or a bowl of porridge) – this will ensure you’re waking your metabolism up and gearing it up for what lies ahead.
- If you know you’re heading to a party straight from work and may not have time to eat dinner, make sure to eat a substantial lunch such as a baked potato with cheese and beans to give you energy to burn on the dance floor and help your body digest alcohol slower.
- Drink loads of water. Always drink before you eat – it fills you up, and if you are dehydrated it slows down your metabolism.
- Eat slower and eat less. Eating 500 calories less a day means you will drop at least a pound a week without exercising. Try and be “food aware” and ask yourself, do I really need a sixth samosa? If there are crudités, such as raw carrot and cucumber, on offer, try to fill up on those first – you’ll feel much better for it the day after.
- Plan your exercise routine and set realistic manageable goals. Put it in your diary like you would a work meeting as you are more likely to stick to that time and discipline. Don’t feel that a workout has to be 90 mins of hard graft -you can easily burn 50-100 calories in 10 minutes here and there without killing yourself.
- Go and buy some nice workout gear that you feel good in. If you feel good you will be more inclined to exercise.
- Workout with other people – there is nothing like a bit of peer pressure to spur you on- group exercise classes like spin or body pump can really help you keep the love handles in check.
