YOU DON’T NEED TO BREAK UP WITH FOOD AT CHRISTMAS.

Are you planning your ‘new year-new you’ diet already? Please don’t, you can totally continue with the good habits you’ve already started this year. Maybe you’re throwing caution to the wind in the lead up to Christmas because ‘what the heck, it’s Christmas right’. It’s tempting to dive head first into the sweets table/punch bowl/cheese wheel, but will you walk away with ‘food remorse’?

It’s a tasty time of year, I get it…I TOTALLY get it. Fruit mince pies, trifle, turkey with ALL the trimmings and festive cheer…cheers ? All so bloody yum and all so much fun.

Today I started baking (technically no bake) Christmas treats in preparation for the big day month. Because we’re friends I won’t lie, some of those puddin balls found their way into my tum and man oh man they were ALL the yum. It was tempting to sit down with a cuppa and a plate full of those festive balls but…restraint prevailed.

Look, I’m not known for my restraint when there’s dessert involved but after months of hard work at the gym and getting in tune with how food, especially sugar actually makes my body feel I did the grown up thing and paced myself.

How does sugar make me feel? Like UTTER CRAP! But it’s soooo hard to break up with.

After Christmas is done and dusted I want to hit the new year running…not ‘actually’ running (calm down), but I want to start it with a clear head, no remorse or shame and, you know…just feel fabulous! So I’m eating consciously, thinking about what I’m actually putting in my gob and how that food will make me feel.

I’m no party pooper, there will absolutely be trifle at my place on Christmas morning, for breakfast! It’s our Christmas morning tradition and I’m playing along, BUT I intend to balance that and other indulgences out.

It’s sooo easy to let good habits spiral into the dark side and if you’ve been working on your health throughout the year you might like to follow some of these balancing tips over the festive season.

+ PORTION CONTROL. If all the goodies on the table catch your eye and you ‘really’ want to sample then be conscious of your portion size. On the flipside if you’re making tasty treats think about making ‘mini’ size portions…you’ll most likely help a sista out.

+ GRAZE. If you have multiple functions to attend then you might like to make like a farm animal and ‘graze’. Rather than chow down on a full three course meal order a light meal or grazing plate…just don’t be like the pig at the trough.

+ BE PREPARED. Like all good Girl Guides be prepared, eat a nutritious and balanced meal ‘before’ heading out so you’re not ravenous when you arrive. If it’s a ‘bring a plate’ affair, create something that you know will suit your healthy diet.

+ DONT SKIP EXERCISE. If you’re used to exercise then keep it up. Not only will it be great for your physical body but the endorphins will have you bouncing with vitality. When I’ve over indulged on carbs and sugar it leaves me flat and glued to the sofa…like fricken Araldite with zero energy! It’s an easy trap to fall in to but trust me, if you get up and get moving you will absolutely feel better.

+ ALCOHOL HAS CALORIES. Not only dies alcohol gave calories but it tends to entice you to eat more, so pace yourself and include some dry days.

+ TREAT YOURSELF. Not with food, but instead treat yourself with some self care. Even if you’re on holidays you can still sneak in a yoga session, blow dry, pedicure, an hour with a magazine and a cuppa or whatever it is that makes you happy.

It’s the festive season so partake and indulge in the festivities, just remember to do so with some balance.

Got any tips for getting through the silly season?
How have you gone this year with your health goals?

Til next time,
Jen x