Tips to Get Through the Festive Season

True Protein Blog Avatar Fallback reviewed by our Nutrition Team 04 December 2014

Keeping your health and fitness on track through Christmas CAN be done

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Tips to Get Through the Festive Season

For anyone who has been good with their nutrition and exercise towards a goal, December can pose some problems. Between the parties, alcohol and festive food, the normal routine can go out the window and it can be hard to stick to your healthy diet.

Here are some tips to help you keep to as much of your regular routine as possible and minimise “the damage”.

First and foremost, have a good time!

Party Time

So you’re probably going to go to more events than usual, which can affect your fitness routine.

  1. Just because it’s December, it doesn’t mean that the whole month is one long party (well, for most of us anyway!) Wherever you can, stick to your regular routine of nutrition and exercise and don’t ditch everything you’ve been working towards all year just because you have a party on Friday night.

  2. If you eat delicious, healthy food every chance you get, then you’re going to feel good about relaxing and enjoying yourself at parties and special occasions.

  3. Use the non-party nights to get plenty of rest and if you have a busy day ahead, try to exercise or go for a walk in the morning.

Festive Food

Festive parties and gatherings can be a minefield for those who are watching what they eat so here are some tips to make your choices easier.

  1. If you’re taking a dish (ask if you can!), then make it a healthy one so you have at least something healthy to eat at the party.

  2. If the food is provided for you, just pick the best food you can from what’s available. Don’t beat yourself up if they haven’t got organic grass-fed beef served with organic kale with Himalayan salt.

  3. If you are going to a restaurant, check out their menu online beforehand so that you can weigh up your options and make a good healthy decision rather than an unhealthy one on the spot.

  4. Have a protein-based snack before you go out – a handful of nuts, protein shake, bar or ball, a boiled egg. This will stop you from overeating the wrong thing when you are out.

  5. If you’re in the process of trying to lose weight, at this time of year it can be easier to try and maintain where you’re at. And that’s ok because tomorrow is a new day and you can always pick back up where you left off.

Alcohol

Whether you’re naughty OR nice, alcohol still has the same effect. Here’s what you need to keep in mind.

  1. Calories count for champagne, beer, white wine, red wine and mixed drinks like rum & coke.

  2. Try to squeeze the odd glass of water in between alcoholic drinks.

  3. The best option for a lower calorie, less headache-inducing alcoholic drink is vodka, soda water and a squeeze of fresh lime.

  4. Mixing drinks = a big headache the next day.

  5. Eat something BEFORE you start drinking.

  6. If you do overindulge in the bevvies, try some coconut water to rehydrate the next day rather than chocolate milk, cola or Fanta.

Final wise words

The festive season can be a great time of year to connect with others and reflect on what you’ve achieved over the course of the year.

If you’re gentle on yourself, you’ll be more relaxed this holiday season, especially if you’ve managed to enjoy yourself within your own boundaries.

There’s a new year just around the corner so to be fresh and ready to start all over again, why not buy yourself a Christmas present of some new workout gear (or better still get someone else to buy it for you).

Best wishes to all for a very Merry Christmas from everyone at True Protein!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: all content provided here is of a general nature only and is not a substitute for individualised professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and reliance should not be placed on it. For personalised medical or nutrition advice, please make an appointment with your doctor, dietitian or qualified health careprofessional.