5 Essential Tips to get you through the Christmas & New Year Period

I really do love this time of year... we decorate the house in tinsel and lights, get all festive and cook up a storm.

This year will be Ethan's first Christmas where we get to shamelessly dress him up in Christmas outfits!

However, it's also a time where we can over indulge to our determinant.

So rather than undo all the good work you've done this year I thought I'd share with you some tips on getting you through Christmas and the New Years (without feeling restricted).

Let's get into them!

1. Keep an eye on your Portion Sizes

With all the delicious foods available to you during the Christmas and New Year period it can be really easy to over eat. Especially on those tasty foods you only get to have on Christmas day (like plum pudding!).

Try being selective with your meals and only eat when you are hungry, have a little big of everything too but aim to follow a balanced meal approach. Also, try to stick to just one serving of each meal – keep those leftovers for lunch the next day instead.

2. Load up on Veggies

Holiday food can often be very carb heavy and nutrient poor, so try to add as many veggies/salads to your plate as you can and sneak in some extra veggies in the lead up to Christmas. A great way to do this is by having a green smoothie/juice!

3. Stay Hydrated

Staying well hydrated is always important, especially during the holiday season when we may be drinking more alcoholic or sugary drinks. Carry a water bottle with you and try to have a glass of water in between alcoholic and sugary drinks.

4. Keep Moving

While it can be incredibly tempting to become a couch potato, especially on those few days between Christmas and the New Year it’s important to keep moving during the holidays to support detoxification, digestion and metabolism. Aim to go for a walk each day, even if it's a short one - you'll feel all the better for it too!

5. Stress Less

And lastly, the holiday season can be quite stressful and bring with it some additional pressures (financial, family issues, rushing around etc...). Try to fit in some relaxation time too because this may be the only time where get to relax before going back to work and starting 2024.

I hope you find these tips helpful during the Christmas and New Year period.