30 November 2021
Be mindful of portion sizes
Stuffing yourself full of turkey, mince pies, chocolates, Christmas pudding and Champagne is very tempting over the Christmas holidays and most of us are guilty of it. But your eyes are bigger than your belly and research shows that the average person consumes 3,000 calories during their Christmas dinner. This figure is more than the recommended daily amount for a grown man! We suggest that you serve up smaller portions and wait 20 minutes before deciding if you want second helpings, as that's how long it takes for your brain to decide whether or not you’re full. Also, if you put less on your plate for for the first two courses, you’ll have more room for dessert and the much loved cheeseboard later on.
Eat slowly
If you rush your meals or don’t focus on what you’re eating, your body won’t register that you’ve had a big meal and you’ll become hungry again very quickly. Focus on your food and take your time, after all, the Christmas dinner is what everyone’s been waiting for.
Get active
Try not to spend the whole day sat down. Playing traditional games or propping yourself up in front of the TV is great for a portion of the day, but maybe after big meal you should encourage everyone to go on a winter walk. Alternatively, if you’ve bought your children active, outdoorsy presents, get the whole family involved to help set them up.
Don't stop your regular workout routine
Don’t stop your Barrecore classes for a whole month. Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day make up just three days of the month. You don’t need to stop your classes and your workouts as soon as we reach the 1st December. The longer you stop for, the harder it will be to get back into it in the New Year. If you don't have the time to leave the house, then do an online Barrecore workout instead.
Buy healthy food options
Just because the food aisles in the shops are full of unhealthy foods, it doesn’t mean your home has to be. Keep the fruit bowl full and as well as bowls of chocolate on the coffee table, make sure there are bowls of nuts and dried fruit too so guests (and you!) have a healthy option.
Be mindful of what you drink
Watch what you drink. A lot of us like a tipple at Christmas time but just keep in mind that a number of alcoholic drinks have a high sugar content and are high in calories. If you’re craving something sugary like a Baileys, have just the one and then move onto a gin and slim line tonic or something similar. Equally be mindful of how much caffeine you're consuming, tea, coffee, chocolate and many soft drinks contain caffeine which can cause peaks and crashes in your energy levels.
Be realistic
Don't aim to do anything too drastic, set realistic goals and don’t beat yourself up if you don't completely stick to them - it is Christmas after all!
We hope these tips help you have a happy, healthy and very Merry Christmas!
