As we freefall into the festive season, it is very easy to let a year full of hard training and healthy eating fall by the wayside. There are some easy ways to manage things so we keep ourselves in tip top condition meaning January isn’t filled with regret so let’s take a look….

EXERCISE
The diary is filling up with Christmas parties and last minute catch ups as well as end of year work deadlines, so it is easy to start dropping a session or two at the gym or skipping that walk so you can fit in a little extra snooze time, right? WRONG!

Keeping your regular exercise routine in place is really important in helping you maintain balance against the backdrop of late nights and party food. It’s going to help you deal with the stress that this time of year can bring as it releases those feel good endorphins and helps you manage your mental health while being a contributing factor in a good night’s sleep. Regular exercise helps us feel good about ourselves and this confidence will help you look amazing in your party outfits! There is also the added benefit of keeping your current fitness levels up so you don’t have to start all over again in the new year.

SLEEP
For some of us, sleep is a spectacular hobby in which we love to indulge but for others, it’s one of those things they reduce in order to fit in all the doing of the festive season. Again, that’s going to cause you problems.

We all know how awful we feel after a bad night’s sleep and how refreshed we feel when we have a solid slumber. String a few nights together where you aren’t getting enough sleep and nothing good will come of it. In fact, it is well known that sleep deprivation will increase the potential for poor decision making. Yes, that’s right, not enough sleep will lead you down the path of temptation and you will be more likely to say yes to unhealthy eats and more alcohol than you need as you are too tired to say no!

More importantly, keeping a good sleep routine during the silly season will allow you to enjoy the celebrations more fully. You will be less tired (obviously) but you will have a better handle on your moods and your stress levels leaving you open to absorb the joy that this time of year can bring.

EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY
As the heading suggests, this time of year does involve a lot of food which is often accompanied by alcoholic beverages and it’s OK to indulge but you need to err on the side of caution here. Eating too much of the kilojoule rich food is going to undo all your good work and make you feel out of sorts. We’ve gone through these tips before (read here for more info) but think before you pick something up off the passing plate of fried enticements or contemplate the impact of that order you are placing from the menu. Do you really need a battered entrée, a sauce covered main and a sugar filled dessert. Probably not.

But there’s nothing wrong with occasionally having dessert, a calorie laden main or an enticing entrée, as long as it is occasionally because life is to be lived. Making these kind of food choices,

with a glass of wine (or your alcoholic beverage of choice) is completely fine if you keep the balance in your life with healthy choices most of the time, backed up by exercise and a good night’s sleep of course!

So, get out there and enjoy the festive season knowing that you will look and feel awesome because you are keeping up with your exercise, you are getting enough sleep and you are choosing food that will both sate and fuel your body.