3 Nutrition Hacks To Stay On Track At Christmas

December 18, 2017 0 0

Weight gain over Christmas is not inevitable – try one of these three tricks to stay in control.

Did you know that the average person gains more than 5 lbs over the festive period? But we’re runners, not average people! If you want to stay in control of your waistline over Christmas, you can. Here are 3 tried-and-tested approaches you can use over Christmas and New Year to feel happy about your food choices, and your weight.

Remember, great habits and mindful choices are much more successful (not to mention healthy) than diets, restriction, and harsh rules. Keep health and wellbeing at the forefront of any decisions you make over Christmas, and your body will thank you.

Try Short Term Fasting

If you know you have a high calorie afternoon, dinner, or drinks event coming up, try using a short fast to stockpile calorie allowance. Fasting for 14-16 hours is actually pretty easy when you are busy. It gives your digestive system a break from the hard work of processing festive food, and means you can probably fit your big meal into your maintenance calories. During your fasting period, drink water, black coffee, green tea, sugar free squash etc as normal. You are only fasting from food. It is important to stay hydrated.

Try this: stop eating at 8pm, go to bed, go without breakfast, and then eat again at 12pm for a 16 hour fast that will take the pressure off your overworked digestive system.

Stick To Your Guns

We don’t agree with diet rules, but it can be empowering to know what you do and don’t want to eat and drink. Don’t let anyone push food on to you at this time of year. Christmas is about company, laughter, and relationships, not any particular food. If you don’t want to drink on a certain day, or if you don’t fancy drinking at lunch time, then don’t do it. It is your body, and it will be your body in January when you will be dealing with the outcome of your December eating choices. You are an active, athletic woman who loves being fit and healthy. Don’t let your values be trampled by well-meaning Christmas food bullies!

Pick Your (Foodie) Battles

Many of the calories we overeat at this time of year are from foods we don’t even like. So choose your battles wisely. Remember that you can say “no” to any food or drink you like. You do not have to eat anything if you don’t enjoy it. If you don’t like mince pies, don’t have one. It can still be Christmas without you eating mince pies (or whatever festive food you feel is overrated). But the reverse applies, too. If you really love certain festive treats and can’t imagine Christmas without them, then eat them and enjoy it. Say “no” when you need to, cut back when you want to, and don’t let anyone make you feel bad about indulging when you want to.