Preparing for Party Season

The temptation to over indulge in food and alcohol is higher than ever around this time of year.
There are lots of distractions to take you away from your exercise and healthy eating regime.
So here are a few helpful tips so you don't stray too far of the path.

• If you do get less time over the holidays to exercise, then don't beat yourself up about it. Reduced activity for a limited period will have little or no affect on your fitness. In fact resting or reducing your training can have a positive outcome on your overall performance. We all need to take a break from training at some point, so why not use the festive period as an opportunity and take a well earned break for a couple of days. If you feel you don't want to stop training then just reduce the number of times you do train or take it a little easier than normal. The key here is to be sensible about it. Try not to overeat and drink. If you do get time to do some exercise, then all the better.

• If you are watching your weight then this is the time of year your willpower will be tested to the max. If you are drinking alcohol then be careful. Each gram of alcohol is 7 calories, then if you add the mixers the total calories increases significantly. Try to have a low calorie soft drink in between each alcoholic drink or even better a glass of water (put ice and a slice in the glass and no one will ever know!). If you are mixing your spirits with a soft mixer such as lemonade or cola then make sure it is the diet variety.

• At the buffet table, try and stay away from high calorie and high fat foods such as pastries, garlic bread, crisps, biscuits and cakes. Instead fill your plate with salad, rice or pasta and some lean protein such as eggs, ham & turkey slices. Go for nuts rather than crisps. Remove any skin from the turkey meat. The brown leg meat is higher in fat than the white breast meat. Christmas pudding is loaded with fruit, so a small piece will not do you too much harm. There are plenty of healthy things you can eat over Christmas. The average Christmas dinner is full of lean turkey and fresh vegetables. Just be sensible when the nibbles are around and limit your intake of the high calorie fatty foods.

• Why not take a trip out. It's very easy during the festive period to stay indoors in front of the TV or to go visiting other people. If you get time, between christmas and new year, take a day out and have a walk, or go for a cycle ride, get some fresh air and think about your goals for the New Year. It's important to keep active and to stretch and flex your muscles with some light activity. Regular stretching will help maintain and develope flexibility which will support your exercise program.

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