Surviving the Christmas break!

The festive season is upon us. This means lots of fun, spare time and also catching up with loved ones and friends. It is also the period in which many people put on the most weight and sabotage the good work they have done in the preceding 10 months. Surviving this period with minimal weight gain is hard, but not impossible. It all comes down to established standards and will power. Established standards are those standards that we have set up prior to our Christmas break; this is x amount of meals per day, x amount of exercise a week and x amount of thought put into our health and fitness. Unfortunately, for many these standards fly right out the window when they are on holidays. But why? Theoretically, we have more time to prep food, more time to exercise and more time to sleep. This should be a health and fitness wonderland. What many people fail to do is connect and reconnect with their goals and fitness passions in these months and therefore come back after their Christmas break heavier, less fit and less happy. Research has suggested that the average person can gain anywhere from 2.7 kilograms to in excess of 5 kilograms during this period. Extrapolate that over 4 or 5 years and the average person is gaining (and often not losing thereafter) 10-25 kilograms of weight. This sudden weight gain can also have a psychological effect on an individual and causes many to abandon exercise completely.

Our tips:

1. Set a goal: If you have put on weight over Christmas in the past (say 5 kilograms) set yourself a goal of no more than 2. It seems silly, but just having that number will help keep you focused.
2. Keep your routine: If you exercise 4 times per week during the year, keep it that way for the Christmas break. Your metabolism does not know you’re on holidays. If you can’t make it to an actual gym, go for a run, perform a circuit or incorporate some cross training into your regime. Don’t let the fact that you’re away from the gym deter you. We will only be closed for the main public holidays over Christmas, which means if you are still in the area there is no reason why you should not still be training.
3. Realise why you’re happy: Many people associate abstaining from copious amounts of alcohol and poor food as boring and a drain on their holidays. Remember the reason holidays are so great is not the food or drink, but the company and freedom of not having to work. Try not drinking at a friends’ barbeque; you may find that you have just as good a time not drinking, and you’ll wake up the next day feeling great.

There you have it, guys. Some simple tips for the holiday season.

Have a great day!