6 Tips For Staying Healthy Over Christmas

As the shorter days roll in and another year draws to a close, we can all be forgiven for diving head-first into the festivities and some much-needed creature comforts. The good news? One indulgent meal on Christmas Day isn't going to cause your weight to skyrocket in the long-term. The better news? The Christmas break is a great opportunity to start implementing healthy habits to get your new year off to a flying start!

Below are my top tips for staying healthy over Christmas...

1. Keep Moving

The temptation at Christmastime is to sit back, relax and have a well-earned rest, but more often than not, Christmas presents a to-do list longer than your arm. Decorating the house, putting the tree up, deep cleaning before family arrive, shopping for those final gifts, wrapping presents, baking festive treats - the list goes on... Luckily, these extra activities can mount up to an impressive calorie burn. Did you know that simple everyday movements like these account for around 15% of our total daily energy expenditure? That's around 3 times the calorie burn of your regular 5K run or gym session. Ramping up your movement over the festive period is a great way to keep the pounds off, so rather than leave it to the house elves, get stuck in with the preparations this year!

2. Go For Winter Walks

Boxing Day walks are traditional for lots of families up and down the country, but why stop there? The cold weather can be off-putting but using the days of extra down-time to get your steps in can give your body a great little health kick to see you into the new year. Dropping off Christmas cards to your friends in the neighbourhood? Walk. Nipping to the shops for an extra roll of wrapping paper? Walk. Walking is one of the most underrated forms of exercise. Not only is it super efficient at burning fat, it releases mood-boosting endorphins and increases focus. Bonus: Walking in colder weather comes with an added calorie burn effect, as your body has to work harder to maintain its temperature.

3. Drink Plenty Of Water

Water is needed for every chemical reaction that takes place in our bodies. Dehydration can therefore have serious implications on our overall health. Don't get caught out this Christmas. If you're fond of your festive drinks, be sure to match each drink with a glass of water to mitigate the hangover and keep your body optimised. Drinking ample amounts of water helps boost metabolism and energy levels, speeds up fat loss and muscle gain, and it can also help to suppress appetite and cravings.

4. Indulge In Moderation

I'm a big advocate for a little Christmas indulgence. Food is, in my opinion, one of life's greatest enjoyments and what better time to enjoy amazing food than at Christmas? So rather than tell you to load up on greens and bypass the Christmas pudding, I'm simply here to suggest taking a mindful approach to your festive consumption. We all know that sugary desserts aren't great for the waistline but be wary of the hidden calories in Christmas drinks, too! Use this calculator to check the calorie content of your favourite festive tipple if you're unsure. Top tip - Prosecco is my go-to lower calorie option for the festive period (86 cals per 125ml glass)!

5. Maintain A Regular Sleep Routine

It can be so tempting to enjoy an extra hour or two cosied up under the blankets over the Christmas break, but keeping to a regular sleep routine has many benefits. Waking up at the same time helps to balance your energy levels during the day and will help you to fall asleep (and stay asleep!) at night. This is hugely important for overall health as your body does most of its repair work while you're asleep - recovering and rebuilding on a cellular level. A good night's sleep has also been shown to reduce the release of the hunger hormone "grehlin" the following day, so you'll find it easier to resist that second and third mince pie!

6. Sneak In A Workout

If your local gym is closed for Christmas or you can't commit to your usual workouts with a house full of guests, don't stress - there are plenty of options for fast and effective home-workouts to tie you over until the new year. YouTube is a great resource for follow-along home workouts. A 10-minute HIIT blast can yield excellent results for burning fat and training your cardiovascular system whilst also providing some strengthening benefits to your muscles. If you're keen to build muscle over the festive period but short on time, focus on key compound movements that target multiple muscle groups at once for minimum time, maximum efficiency. Target the key muscle groups with these four staple moves split over two sessions:

Session1- Bench Press & Deadlift

Session 2- Squat & Pull-Up (use bands for assistance if needed).

Want to kickstart your January fitness plan? I offer online coaching and plans, as well as 1-2-1 personal training in Manchester. Drop me a message.

Merry Christmas and enjoy the festivities!

Stay happy, stay healthy.

Jay x