With Christmas and the holiday season just around the corner, itβs this time of year that people start to lose focus on their health and fitness goals. Staying healthy during the festive season doesnβt mean you need to be totally strict with your nutrition and workout routine. Of course you might enjoy some extra indulgences with your friends and family but that is no reason to right off your whole holiday period.
Here are some guidelines you can implement over the next month to help you maintain your health and fitness:
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If you can eat a balanced diet of whole foods including lots of protein 
and vegetables 80% of the time, then a few treats 
over Christmas and New Year isnβt going to undo all your hard work throughout the year. If you know youβre going out for a meal, try to have light meals for the rest of the day consisting of protein and veg.
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You arenβt forced to only eat the unhealthy foods often served at parties. If youβre going to a party with family or friends offer to bring a plate of nutritious food. 
Bring something you enjoy which will make it easier for you to fill up on healthy food. If the event is fully catered for, make the healthiest choices available and eat mindfully.
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When choosing from the Christmas Day spread, choose your protein, then fill your plate with salads and vegetables. 
This will ensure you are getting in a nutritious meal and wonβt be hungry when itβs time for dessert.
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Slowing down helps you to realise when you are satisfied which helps avoid over eating. It takes 20 minutes 
for the signal from the digestive system to reach your brain indicating you have eaten enough. Drinking lots of water around meals will help avoid over eating too.
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If you want dessert, have a very small portion of something you really enjoy and leave it at that. You are going to thank yourself later on when youβre not feeling horribly full and uncomfortable. If youβve eaten a meal containing a good serving of protein and heaps of veg, youβll be already feeling satisfied.
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Make sure you are well hydrated beforehand, 
and have a glass of water inbetween every alcoholic beverage. 
Eat beforehand so youβre not drinking on an empty stomach, and to avoid totally blowing out, focus on making your food choices good ones. Know too that all of these things are going to impact your recovery and food choices the following day.
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Try to do some form of exercise most days. Whether itβs a walK
, swim, ride or an intensive workout session, 
make sure you are remaining physically active so that you stay in a good exercise routine and maintain your strength and fitness levels. You might like to change up from your regular workout routine which is a great time to do this, the important thing is that you stay active and enjoy your movement. 
By following these achievable guidelines throughout the holiday season, youβll be able to both enjoy your break as well as maintain your health and fitness, and avoid piling on those unwanted kilos, which can easily happen this time of year without a strategy. Implement these tips and you will make your transition back into a regular routine so much easier, without starting back at square one. 
If youβre looking for more tips to navigate your way around living a healthy lifestyle, jump into this free Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/432065411721382
#healthyholidays #FestiveSeason #healthylifestyle #fitnessgoals #healthandfitness #healthyhabits
