Beat the Holiday Bulge: Proven Strategies For Staying Fit Through Festive Feasts

So we are close to the start of December and with that come Christmas. Now this is a time of year when you could be setting up the start of 2024 being ahead, rather than getting to January and saying to yourself "this year I will get in shape".

This is because December can be the month that we put off the gym or exercise activities and we slowly put on the weight because we are heading in to a season of festivities.

We also eat more, drink more and stop prioritising ourselves. This leads us to the inevitable weight gain, the lethargy and the clothes feeling extremely tight!

This can be avoided, and exercise and good nutrition is the key to this.

So here are the key points to keep you on track during December and the holiday period!

Keep Exercising

By prioritising exercise you'll not only keep moving and burning calories, but you will also be releasing endorphins, which are really important when there is less daylight hours.

Intermittent Fasting

Fasting can be a useful strategy especially on days when you have parties to go to or if there is going to be a high amount of unhealthy foods available. This strategy will limit your calorie intake, improve your cognitive functions and help reduce hunger so that you are less likely to put on excessive amount of weight.

Avoid Most Carbs

If you eat excess carbs in combination of doing less exercise, you are going to put on weight. But, in addition, you won't help your mental health either. Processed carbs in particular, can lead to increase in bad bacteria in your gut, and the chemicals they release have been linked to increased anxiety and depression.

Increase Water Intake

You are more likely to get dehydrated in the winter months. We can easily confuse dehydration with hunger, and what is readily available? Yes, you guessed it right - chocolate, crisps and other processed foods.

So to avoid this, keep your hydration levels up. You will be thankful that you did this.

Now, I am fully aware that you are going to want to enjoy the festive period, so by making the above suggestions fit in to your lifestyle, you can enjoy this period and limit the damage it can do to waistline and your body in general.

Which ones are you going to make sure you keep going through December? Drop me a DM and feel free to let me know your own suggestions that work for you.

Until next time, take care.

John