Top 5 tips on how to avoid gaining weight this Christmas
Why do we do it? We exercise a couple of times a week and my members at Sarah Ware Fit work so hard taking part in my high energy, high fat burning classes. Yet when it comes to Christmas, and I’m not just talking about Christmas Day, so many people drop their training regime and forgo their healthy diets and lifestyles for a month of reduced exercise, rich calorific foods and excessive alcohol.
‘It’s Christmas’ I hear you say…
I totally agree, my moto has always been to enjoy everything in moderation and Christmas is hardly the time to be trying to shed those extra kilos however, let’s not relinquish our hard work and instead maintain regular exercise and a balanced diet.
Here are my tops 5 tips on staying fit and healthy during the Christmas period:
1. Be mindful of Alcohol:
We all know the golden rule; if you want to lose weight you need to be burning more calories than you’re taking in. With this in mind consider that Alcohol provides 7 calories per gram, while protein and carbohydrate both provide 4 calories per gram. What this means is it’s very easy to rack up your daily calorie intake simply by drinking alcohol. That said, most people enjoy a few drinks over Christmas so why not pace yourself, choose drinks that are lower in calories such as a Vodka with soda (30ml spirit plus 150ml soda = only 64 calories) and make sure you drink water in-between alcoholic drinks to increase the feelings of fullness and reduce dehydration.
Did you know there is on average 245 calories in a pint (570mL) of full strength (5%) beer. A large glass of wine (250mL) with 13% alcohol contains 228 calories; almost as much as a Magnum Ice-cream (260 calories).
2. Please Sir, can I have some more? The pre-Christmas nibbles, starter, main course, desert, coffee, chocolates, the list goes on… Be mindful of how much food you’re eating over the Christmas period by not arriving to the dinner table ravenous, choosing to eat from a small plate and eating slowly. Enjoy your food, savour those Christmas flavours and allow your brain the opportunity to recognise when you’re full. This will save you from over eating and getting the post-Christmas dinner guilt.
3. Keep up your exercise regime and stay active:
Just because its Christmas doesn’t mean you need to break from your regularly exercise routine. Most gyms operate over the Christmas period, I know Sarah Ware Fit Group Outdoor Exercise Classes and Personal Training sessions in Nedlands and South Perth are fully operational over Christmas. If all else fails, get out and about and go for a walk. Personally, I love nothing more than going for a long walk with my husband at Cottesloe Beach early on Christmas morning before the Christmas shenanigans begin.
4. Hydration, hydration, hydration:
Did you know we’re made up of approximately 60% water? Make sure you’re drinking at least two litres of water each day especially if you’re drinking alcohol. Water will keep you feeling full as well as flush out toxins, energise your muscles and aid in the process of delivering nutrients to your body.
5. Make protein your priority:
Protein is the body’s primary building block for muscle, bone, skin, hair, and other tissues so it’s important that we include it as part of our diet. Consider eating high protein food first such as turkey and fish followed by vegetables to keep you feeling fuller for longer.
Sarah Ware Fit combines both the science of exercise and nutritional studies to achieve fantastic results for our clients. Providing a variety of fun and effective outdoor personal and group training sessions in Perth, we help people of all ages and fitness abilities achieve their personal goals in a fun and exhilarating environment amongst friends.
