All i want for Christmas is..rock hard abs!
With Christmas time upon us, it’s very likely that many of your evenings and weekends are filled with festivities that involve eating, drinking and generally being merry. These social events can play havoc with your nutrition and exercise routine. The holiday season is a time to enjoy with family and friends, but you needn’t over-indulge.
Remember, everything in moderation! Just because you’ve had a slice of Christmas pudding doesn’t mean you’ve “blown your diet” and may as well eat the whole thing. It’s all too easy to fall into the trap of pigging out with the intention of eating well and exercising it off in the new year; why not enjoy just a little of what you like and start the new year one step ahead?
Christmas food often gets a bad wrap as far as health is concerned. Many of the foods we enjoy at this time of year are high in calories, saturated fat, sugar and sodium BUT there are numerous healthy options.
Below are a few ways of saving calories and making healthier food choices over Christmas.
– Swap salty leg ham for homemade roast chicken (Choose breast meat, as it is lower in fat than the darker thigh meat, and avoid eating the skin).
– Replace the pork crackling on your plate with some turkey breast and a dash of cranberry sauce.
– Have a glass of water or mineral water between alcoholic beverages to reduce calories.
– Make a sweet potato salad with vinagrette instead of the traditional, high fat, creamy potato salad. (Sweet potatoes are lower G.I. and will keep you feeling fuller for longer).
– Serve Christmas lunch or dinner with a giant leafy green salad and be sure to heap a big serving on your plate.
– Don’t deprive yourself. Have a small serving of all of your favourite things to ensure you are satisfied and don’t end up binging later.
..and lastly STAY ACTIVE!
If you can’t make it to the gym, exercise at home! Perhaps get family and friends involved to make it more fun. Here is a quick interval workout that you can do at home to work off those extra Christmas treats!
“All i want for Christmas” Workout
1) Complete as many burpees as you can in 40 seconds, then go straight into plank position for 20 seconds. Complete a total of 5 times.
2) Do as many squat jumps as you can in 40 seconds, followed by a wall sit (squat with your back against the wall) for 20 seconds. Complete 5 times.
3) Complete 40 seconds of push ups (either on your toes or knees), then 20 seconds of bicycle crunches. Complete 5 times.
For extra motivation, keep a notebook and pen nearby and scrawl your number of repetitions down after each set. This will push you to try to beat your score each time. Remember to warm up and to cool down and stretch.
Wishing you all a safe and happy Christmas and New Year!!
Felicity.
