Two tips to stay on track this christmas

If I was given a dollar for every time I’ve been asked how to stay on track over the silly season, I think I'd be doing pretty well for myself!

Of course, this time of year can be challenging for all of us from a health perspective. There are temptations at our fingertips, left, right and centre. So, I wanted to share my top tips to stay on track. If there's nothing else you do, I want you to keep these two things in mind.

1. Christmas is only one day

We all know this, but how many of us take Christmas as an opportunity to let go of all of our hard work and indulge for weeks on end. There's the Christmas parties leading up to Christmas, the entertaining of friends and family prior to Christmas, the big event itself where a food coma is often on the cards, followed by the need to eat up all the leftover Christmas ham, rum balls and boxes of chocolates that you received as gifts.

The opportunity to indulge is endless during the festive season, so the key is to set some boundaries and decide in advance what you will and won't indulge in. I'm certainly not suggesting no indulgence, in fact, I know for a fact that come Christmas Day there's nothing more that excites me than to dig into a little slice of plum pudding (with some scotch poured over it and lit up, it’s our family tradition) with some brandy custard. But I certainly won't be pigging out and going in with an 'all you can eat' mindset. That will just make me feel sluggish and bloated. For me, Christmas is about the loved ones I get to spend it with, being grateful for the quality food and drink in front of me, and when I do indulge, savouring every mouthful.

Have a think about what will best serve you and your health this Christmas, what little indulgences you want to enjoy, as well as setting some boundaries for when constant temptations come your way.

2. Physical activity is your partner in crime

Yes, alas, it’s not rum balls, but physical activity that is going to work wonders for your physical and mental health at this time of year. As a qualified personal trainer myself, runner and lover of BodyPump, I reap the benefits of exercise most days a week. It boosts my mood and I always feel ready to face the day after a workout.

The key is to either maintain what you’ve been doing pre-Christmas and find time to fit it in, or if you’re away on holidays, make sure you incorporate new activities into your routine. It might be enjoying a swim in the surf, some beach cricket with the kids or simply an afternoon stroll each day. If you track your steps, try to get to 10,000 on most days.

I hope that gives you a couple of things to think about when approaching the festive season this year.

From my family to yours, I wish you a safe and happy festive season full of love and joy. See you next year xoxo