Christmas is just around the corner and the parties are already in full-swing. When you’re into your health and fitness, the socialising aspect of the party season may cause anxiety – you don’t want to feel like all your hard work has been compromised with mulled wines and minced pies.

Fear not, I have some tips on how you can enjoy the festive season whilst still looking after your body. It’s all down to the choices you make, moderation and self-care.



1. Drink healthily

Hail the skinny bitch! No this isn't a person, this is a drink and it's low in calories! You may want to ask the bar staff for the polite version, 'vodka, soda & fresh lime', making sure they squeeze a few wedges in to give it more flavour and some vitamin C (bonus)! If you're not normally a vodka person, give it a try – it takes three weeks for your taste buds to adapt to something new! If you’re still not keen, opt for one of the following instead: -

• Dry white wine - contains less sugars than beer or bottled alcoholic drinks
• Red wine - contains antioxidants through the grapes
• Bucks fizz (Champagne & OJ) - provides vitamin C and means you will drink less alcohol due to mixing
• Light beer - contains less sugar, calories and alcohol than regular or craft beers
• Whisky (or any spirit) on the rocks - low in calories due to no mixers
• Guinness - contains antioxidants, vitamin B and fibre 
• Bloody Mary with fresh tomato juice & celery - provides antioxidants as well as vitamin C and potassium. Also the tabasco will speed up the metabolism due to the spice content.
  

2. Step into the dark side

Unless you're lactose intolerant like me and don't have a choice, this is a very big step for some but trust those taste buds! Dark chocolate may be higher in calories and fat, but compared to milk chocolate, dark has fewer carbs. That’s because it has less sugar, four times the amount of fibre, is packed with iron, magnesium and potassium and has a lower percentage of sodium and cholesterol. Long-term health-wise, dark chocolate has more immune supporting zinc (a healthier immune system can help prevent illness) and If it's the bitterness that puts you off, consider it a good thing because it’s the bitter alkaloid of the cacao that helps lower blood pressure.

3. Best of both

December is probably the only month where it’s acceptable to go out drinking on a Monday night (and that time of year you meet up with every Tom, Dick & Harry even if you haven’t seen them since last Christmas!). So rather than miss out on the festive fun, schedule your workouts before work or at lunchtime (so then you don't feel guilty for swapping your evening spin class for a few G&T’s)! Just be aware that alcohol consumption after exercise slows down muscle repair.



4. Sugar's taxing

It wouldn’t be Christmas if you didn’t receive a selection box from your Nan, or if there wasn’t a Celebrations tub on the coffee table or a Ferrero Rocher's tower taller than your tree ­­– and we’re only human so naturally we’re going to be drawn to these festive treats. Imagine the look on everyone’s faces if you turn down a Galaxy Caramel for a banana?! Without sounding too much like Fiona Phillips on a mission, try and be mindful about how much chocolate you are eating. The recommended daily added sugar intake is 30g per day (equivalent to a Double Decker), so try and limit yourself to the ‘one bar’ per day to avoid consuming too much sugar (which turns to excess fat and could lead to obesity, tooth decay, diabetes and heart disease).

5. Hell yes H20

If you do any of these this Christmas, make sure it’s this one. Drinking 2 litres for women or 2.5 litres for men per day can really aid weight loss. This is because water increases your metabolism, and the feeling of fullness means you consume less calories throughout the day. Drinking plenty of water also reduces symptoms of a hangover which is partly caused by dehydration.

6. As Scooter once said, Move Your Ass

Let’s face it, attending the gym the last week of December is as unlikely as a white Christmas in the UK, so invest in a mat, and before you walk from your bed to the sofa for the Lord of the Rings trilogy, spend 30 minutes moving; whether it’s yoga, Pilates or a bodyweight HIIT session. Apart from the obvious benefits of calorie burn and an increased metabolism, you will lower the risk of illnesses such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes and boost your mood, sleep quality and energy levels - which can ward off feelings of depression. What January blues?!

References: -

https://www.healthista.com/the-healthiest-alcoholic-drinks-a-nutritionists-guide/
https://www.prevention.com/food-nutrition/a19133941/dark-chocolate-vs-milk-chocolate/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-health-benefits-of-water#section6
https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/food-and-diet/how-much-sugar-is-good-for-me/
https://theconversation.com/why-alcohol-after-sport-and-exercise-is-a-bad-idea-98313

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