10 Tips for fighting the festive season flab

10 tips for fighting the festive

season flab

Once festive season parties begin, it is all too

easy to replace exercise time with an extra

drink at the bar or a few more minutes around

the cookie jar.

Peter Jordan, principal officer of Fedhealth, says that, while

letting your hair down for a couple of days won’t do your

health or fitness any harm, it’s when this extends from the

beginning of December to well into the New Year that it

becomes a problem.

“According to a survey done by The British Dietetic

Association, on average, people gain 2kg in the four weeks

around Christmas alone; research shows that this 500g per

week weight gain can continue well into the New Year, too,”

he says.

While avoiding the celebratory meals during the festive

season may not be an option for you, Jordan believes a

healthy dose of exercise and avoiding total overindulgence

can lead to a healthier you come the New Year.

“Fortunately, unlike our Northern Hemisphere counterparts,

we can spend time outdoors enjoying South Africa’s beautiful

climate during the festive season, so take advantage of our

sunny days and get active!” he says.

He offers the following 10 tips to fight flab over the festive

season:

1. Drink a glass of water before eating or drinking a soft

drink. This will help to keep you from overindulging in

those extra calories.

2. Use exercise to explore new areas. Enjoy the adventure

of running or cycling where you have never been before.

3. Make exercise a family affair. Take the dog along. Let

the kids ride alongside on their bikes.

4. Try some new activities like swimming, rollerblading,

sea-kayaking, stand up paddling, or a mountain bike ride.

These are all great holiday activities that will still give

you a good workout.

5. Stick your training programme up on the fridge. Tick the

days you do train and make a cross on days you don’t

train.

6. Many holiday towns have activities, like runs, over the

festive season to attract holidaymakers. Check out the

local newspaper for events near you.

7. Exercise early in the morning. Even the most diligent

person will struggle to find motivation to train after a

long day at the beach and a lazy late lunch. Make the

most of the early sunrise. Many holiday towns have

activities, like runs, over the festive season to attract

holidaymakers.

8. Buy some cool, new exercise gear. It will encourage you

to put it on and get out there!

9. Enjoy the warm summer evenings and go for a walk

around the neighbourhood after dinner. This helps keep

your metabolism high, so you burn more calories while

you sleep.

10. Say no to seconds! Just because there is extra

food around doesn’t mean you have to eat it. Enjoy the

celebrations, but avoid having seconds and getting into

the habit of snacking throughout the day. Try keeping

some healthy snack options, like fruit, around the house.