Don't pile on the pounds this Christmas!

Cold nights, foggy mornings, frosty evenings, can you believe it's that time of year again!? Christmas is round the corner so I thought I'd dedicate a post on how to prevent adding on the pounds over this food filled period. I can already hear you screaming... "Christmas is the time of year when we are allowed to eat what we want and not worry about calories". In a way, I agree with this, but on the other hand a lot of people haven't exactly held back on the chocolates, the extra portions, the booze filled night outs throughout the past couple of months, so they can't exactly say they'll miss out.

So if you are a person who wants to prevent pilling on the pounds and wants to keep in shape over the Christmas period, here are my top tips!

Stay active;

It's simple, the more exercise you do, the more calories you will burn. Whether it be winter walks with your loved ones, light jogs with your iPod, or an intense home/gym workout, it still beats doing nothing. Mix up your week, for example have 2 intense days, 2 medium days and 3 light (rest) days. Not only will this help you stay on track physically, but it'll help you stay on track mentally. This leads me onto my next point.

Don't stress;

The Christmas period is often very stressful and we all know stress is never good. When you are under a lot of stress your body will release the stress hormone cortisol. Too much cortisol will slow down your metabolism, increase appetite and cravings for fatty, salty, sugary foods. It will also alter your blood sugar levels (causing mood swings) and will promote fat storage around your stomach. To prevent stress, make sure you...

1. Stay active;

Exercise reduces stress hormones like cortisol and releases endorphins (natures mood lifter!).

2. Maintain a balanced diet & don't skip meals;

This will keep blood sugars stable, preventing energy slumps and mood swings.

3. Avoid sugary, processed snacks;

These will cause spikes in blood sugar, causing huge sugar crashes. Snack on high fibre foods like fruit and/or protein to help you feel fuller for longer.

Sleep more;

Sleep is vital, your body will need it's rest. Getting a good nights sleep will reduce stress, increase physical and mental performance. So not only will you be able to think clearer but you will be able to get more done throughout your day. Why work for 12 hours a day at 50% your best, when you can work for 8 at 100%? Be efficient, sleep more and get more done!

Snack smart;

Did you know in just 4 Quality streets (mini bite-size chocolates), there are...

Kcal: 176

Sugar: 21.6g (over 5 teaspoons!)

Sat. fat: 4.1g

...and in just 4 chocolates from a box of celebrations, there are...

Kcal: 180

Sugar: 20.4g (over 5 teaspoons!)

Sat. fat: 4.8g

Now that's a LOT of sugar for just 4 measly chocolates out of a box, and remember that's only 4. So what's my point? My point is to find a healthier substitute. Instead of filling the table with tins of chocolate, fill it with bowls of homemade popcorn (air pop, then sprinkle over cinnamon, or cajun/cayenne for a savoury taste), fruit kebabs, veg batons with hummus/tzatziki and mixed nuts. Keep the chocolates out of sight as mindless snacking will soon tally up. 

Take your time;

During the Christmas period so many people grab the biggest plate they can find, load it until they can't physically hold it up much longer and eat until they feel sick. Firstly, reach for a smaller plate and you won't be tempted to overload it, and secondly take your time. It takes around 20 minutes for the brain to know your stomach is full, so don't rush, enjoy your company, enjoy the occasion and most importantly, enjoy your food!

Stay hydrated;

No, alcohol doesn't count! When you are dehydrated, it's very easy to confuse thirst with hunger, leading to more unnecessary snacking. Besides the other benefits of drinking water (increased metabolism, clearer skin, increased mental/physical performance) drinking water before your huge Christmas dinner means you'll naturally eat less food, preventing the urge to over eat.

Now to finish, just remember to enjoy yourself. Have fun with your loved ones and appreciate all that you have. But always keep in mind, you can't put a price on good health. Look after your health and you will have many more Christmas days to enjoy.

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!

Hadee.