How to stay active over the holidays

The holidays might be great if you fancy some indulgence, but they are not exactly ideal when you are training for your next big event.

But what if you could enjoy the biggest holiday of the year without sabotaging your health, fitness, strength and speed?

Here are a few simple steps to help you stay on track:

• Eat mindfully. When you’re eating, sit back and think about what you are eating. Pay attention to the textures, flavours and aroma of food. This will slow the whole process down allowing how your stomach feels to catch up with your brain. This will give it time to send those “I’m full” messages so that you don’t overeat.
• Stay hydrated. The water in our bodies is over 60% of our total weight. We can’t do without it. It also helps satiate us when we are looking for a snack. Many of us have experienced feeling de-hydrated after consuming too much alcohol so trying to alternate between water and alcohol would really help.
• Keep your protein intake high. There are so many benefits to a high protein diet. Key reasons include weight management, the rebuilding of muscle fibres and helping to remain injury free. Vary things up with a new high protein shake recipe or incorporate more protein into your breakfast. That way you can carry on with the celebrations knowing that your protein requirements are sorted.
• Reinvent your holiday workout. Routine sounds boring but it is everything when you are training. The holidays can act as a real break, disrupting your training regime. But instead of looking at it this way, how about using it as an opportunity to try a new routine? There are loads of short HIIT workouts online. This would allow you to vary your training whilst still leaving time to socialise and enjoy the holidays.
• Make time for self-care. Depressingly, there are more arguments and divorce/splits at this time of year. Don’t let yourself become a statistic and find some space to relax and unwind. Going for a walk outside has so many proven benefits – you are bound to come back in a better frame of mind.
• Set challenges. With so many holiday distractions, it’s easy to lose track of your training plan. That’s where working out with others can really help. By agreeing places to meet and times to go exercising it will keep you motivated. I don’t know about you, but I always run faster when I am with someone else. Even if you can’t be together physically, you could take part in virtual challenges, and whilst not as good as the real thing, it’s a great short-term substitute.

Whatever you decide to do, enjoy yourself. This is not the time to feel guilty or try to catch-up on the missed workout. There will be plenty of time for that later!

Wishing you a great festive season and don’t forget the Protein Rebel!