5 How To Stay Healthy At Christmas (And Still Enjoy Yourself!)
It's that time of year again. You know, the one where you are surrounded by family and friends, Christmas music is playing everywhere you go, there are twinkling lights everywhere...and it's also when your diet goes out the window.
The festive period might be laden with unhealthy traps, from tempting boxes of chocolates dotted around the home to evening drinks out with friends, but with a few careful switches, you can stay healthy in the time between Christmas and New Year.
We’ve got five simple ways for you to boost your health without missing out on the festivities.
Watch your snacking
One of the reasons that Christmas is so bad for our waistlines is the snacking options. From tempting treats at home to rows of delicious food laid out at work, it’s easy to graze on snacks that are often high in fat and sugar. You don’t have to miss out altogether but be careful that you’re not absent-mindedly picking up food just because it’s there.
If you’re in the mood for some tasty Christmas treats, you can grab some healthy alternatives like oatmeal cookies, dried fruit, popcorn, nut mixes and dark chocolate.
Limit your portion size
You don’t have to turn down party invitations to stay on track but you will need to watch your plate, especially at parties where there’s a buffet. Have a healthy Christmas where you can still sample some of your favourite festive snacks, whether it’s the cheese board or a mince pie, without going overboard.
Swap your usual tipple
Everyone knows that the festive period involves more alcohol than any other time of the year. If avoiding the booze all month despite an influx of gatherings and invitations doesn’t appeal to you, choosing a healthier tipple can minimise the impact on your fitness plans. Swap your usual drink of choice from a low beer option, a small glass of wine, or a spirit paired with soda water.
Make exercise part of your plans
In winter the mercury might be plunging but that doesn’t mean you should be forgoing your exercise plans. You can head to the gym for a quick workout before the New Year’s resolution influx or even make it part of your festive plans. From taking part in a sponsored charity run – as Santa of course – to simply strolling around the streets to take in the festive decorations, getting active doesn’t have to be dull over Christmas.
Other ways to stay active and healthy could be taking your dog out for an extra-long walk, meeting friends in the park for a stroll or cooking up a healthier festive feast with the whole family!
Focus on fun not food
So many Christmas activities revolve around food and drink but there’s plenty that simply focuses on fun. You could book tickets to enjoy a local pantomime in your area or trim the tree – not all of the festive traditions mean upping the calories, so you don’t have to worry about missing out.
