So Christmas is on it’s way sooner than everyone expects! I think people get excited over the Christmas festivities, but also know in the back of their minds it can be the time of year when food, drink and waistlines spiral out of control – often with the acceptance of “I’ll start again in the New Year” !
Now, I’m not going to tell you to not drink, eat great food etc, but answer this, “Is the Christmas period a couple of days, or a couple of weeks?!”
This really could make a big difference to not just your health and waistline, but how much work you may have to do come January 1st……and the following weeks/months!
Christmas parties, office treats, a week to 10 days off over Christmas they all add up with calories, and belt notches! So, before I turn into the Christmas Scrooge, here’s 2 tips to help minimise the work you’ll need to do come January!
1 – Plan ahead!
This could ring true for any week in the year, but especially where parties are concerned. Xmas-do’s rarely just crop up. You know “Thursday” is the office party etc. Therefore, eliminate those foods/drinks in the week leading to the event that you’ll be consuming on the day. Don’t drink alcohol during the week. Cut out sugar, and wheat products – 2 big things that increase the waist and love handle area, whilst knocking energy levels for 6.
You’re going to be consuming these foods in reasonable quantities around Christmas so give your liver, digestive system and insulin levels (that control blood sugar levels, but also fat storage!) a break!
Try cutting up raw vegetables (carrots, celery, cucumber, radish, peppers etc) and take in a tupperware box to work with a tub of hummous. This is a great snack option, being low in sugar, and high in fibre it will not only rebalance your blood sugar levels(after or before the event!) but will help the digestive system, and keep you fuller, resisting the carb cravings that often kick in. Try these as a staple snack throughout December and watch energy levels rise – could be a secret weapon!
2- Eat a protein snack before leaving the house.
Here’s a great PT-secret tip 
Protein, and we’re talking meats, fish, eggs, protein powders mostly, are a great food source for not only keeping satiety levels up, but they slow down the speed at which sugars are released into the blood stream (Crucial if you want to manage blood sugar levels and the speed at which your body tries to store things as fat)
Therefore before you go out for a drinks party/meal etc, try and consume some protein about an hour before hand. This could be a protein shake, a small portion of scrambled eggs on rye toast or by itself or a 1 egg omelette. This will “line” your stomach, and slow down the rate at which the alcohol/sugary food will enter your body from your digestive system, and should also keep the sugary carb cravings away that often happen when drinking alcohol. Don’t neglect water when you’re out. Alcohol dehydrates the body, so try to have half to a full glass each time you finish an alcoholic drink – this could make a REAL difference!
Remember choices can always be made, so make the best ones, prepare in advance, and enjoy Christmas…..even if it is only a few days and not a few weeks with regard to food and drink!! More info in the New Year to help you get the body you are after!!
Tags: christmas