We hate to say it but Christmas party arrangements are in full swing and here at the Holbrook Club we’re now all booked up for the festive season! You may have already been passed a menu to make your party food choices from and you’re probably thinking about how you’re going to manage to stay fit and healthy in the run up to Christmas with all the eating and drinking that accompanies the celebrations! We have some top tips to help you get fit and stay fit during November and December.
Take it step by step
If you’re looking to slim down for the Christmas party and fit into that little black dress or your new suit, break it down into smaller steps. Give yourself realistic goals to aim for in pursuit of the end goal, you’ll feel a sense of achievement each time you reach one of the mini-goals and this will spur you on and motivate you to succeed. Try on the dress or suit at regular intervals so you can see you’re getting closer to fitting into it.
Food for thought
Christmas always involves a lot of food! So, in the run up to the big day really think about what you are eating. Make sure you eat a healthy breakfast to start the day off right and to help you stay full until lunchtime. If you do want to snack, look for sensible choices like hummus and vegetable sticks or some plain nuts with a piece of fruit rather than reaching for the chocolate.
When you’re going out, never go out hungry! Make sure you’ve eaten properly during the day as this means you’re more likely to eat sensibly at the party. It’s also really important to stay hydrated – this will benefit you in many ways, helping you keep your appetite under control, you’ll recover from exercise faster and you will sleep better. When you’re out at a party, make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the evening too!
Make a date with the gym
Exercise can fall by the wayside in November and December as diaries fill up with social events. A top tip is to book your exercise into your diary as well as your Christmas parties. Make dates with the gym and stick to them during this time. A great way to do this is book the time in with a friend to go; if you buddy up you’re more likely to stick to it as you’re accountable to each other. You could also book in some sessions with our personal trainers as they will motivate you and make sure you stick to your workouts!
Another way to fit more exercise into a busy period is to take the stairs rather than the lifts especially when at those shopping centres doing your Christmas shopping. Park the car further away from your destination than you usually would to get more walking in, it’s especially important to try and walk daily especially if your job involves sitting down all day.
Once you’re exercising, make sure you are mixing it up as you need to do a variety of exercises to be as fit and healthy as possible. Gradually increase the intensity if you’re aiming to slim down and do both cardiovascular and toning exercises as this will help you get the maximum benefits from your workouts. Don’t worry if you can’t be in the gym long; 20 minutes of high intensity interval training has been shown to burn more calories than 40 minutes of steady exercise. So even if you can only pop in for a short workout, it’s still worth doing the exercise.
By doing the exercise not only will you be fit for Christmas but you’ll feel better too as it boosts your endorphins which give you that ‘feel good factor’. Plus exercise increases your metabolism and tones your muscles so you’ll look great, have more energy and your body will be working more efficiently ready to take on that festive feast!
If you’re looking to get fit for Christmas and wear that little black dress or suit and would like some advice on how to do this, please talk to one of expert personal trainers at the Holbrook Club who will be happy to help you.