November 4, 2022
Our top fitness and nutrition tips for the Christmas + New year’s period, including how to approach food during Christmas time and advice on the fitness approach in a period where days have less structure
The holiday season is in full swing and with all the festive food, boozy brunches and cold, winter nights it can feel like a real struggle to stay motivated. Christmas and New year are notorious for letting our good habits slide. And as we kiss goodbye to structure in favour of all the delicious goodies and relaxing with our loved ones, by the time January rolls around we’re left with an intense pressure to undo all the over indulgence and get back on track.
Sis, we get it! This time of year can be super overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to reach a specific goal. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you stay motivated and let nothing get in the way of where you want to be.
Motivation comes and goes and staying dedicated and determined to stick to your healthy habits during this time of year can take real effort. To make it easier for yourself, take a moment to write down your reasons to remember why you started and why it’s important to see it through. This way when you’re feeling like you want to give up, you can look at it to give you that surge of motivation to power you through!
When your routine becomes chaotic, one of the best things you can do is plan a time slot for your EvolveYou workout. Knowing when you will do it will free up some time in your day, meaning you are more likely to get it done.
Whether it be cycling to work, walking to dinner or taking the stairs, moving more can be a great way to stay fit and active over the holiday period. Also some studies have shown that including more cardio into your routine may help decrease your appetite by lowering your hunger hormone! Making it easier for you to say no to those extra helpings of Christmas dinner.
Time is precious, so having an extra 30 minutes allows you to get things done. Whether it be meal prep or working out, getting out of bed that bit earlier helps your morning get off to a better start. Remember familia if you don’t fancy heading to the gym, you can get in one of our express workouts which is only 15 mins, all from the comfort of your home!
Try our Absolute Burner tomorrow morning to maximise your day 💪🏽
When it comes to approaching festive food, whether it’s your Christmas dinner or eating out, start by prioritising protein. Protein will help you feel fuller for longer as studies show that it lowers ghrelin levels – our hunger hormone. The good news doesn’t stop there, protein also keeps our blood and energy levels stable helping to conquer those Christmas cravings. Great examples of protein are:
If you’re looking for inspiration this Christmas and new year, then look no further. We have new delicious recipes dropping this holiday period, which are packed with protein and perfect to make from those leftover dinners.
Why not try our:
Drinking water before your wine, as well as sipping it in between glasses will help to minimise any horrible hangover the next day. The magical h20 becomes your liver’s best friend as it helps to metabolise alcohol, helping you to wake up fresher and hit your morning workout.
Top tip: If you want to stay on top of your water intake, remember we have a water tracker inside the app, just saying 😉
Learning to say no, is an essential part of reaching your goals. It’s OK to say no if you don’t want that office Christmas cookie, it’s OK to say no to another festive dinner and it’s also OK to say no when your auntie Sheila tries to force feed you another slice of pie. Remember it’s your body, your journey and your results, check in with yourself and ask yourself what YOU want.
While it’s important to stick to a routine, it’s equally important to enjoy what you fancy once in a while. Having a delicious dinner with friends, or indulging in a mince pie and hot chocolate with a loved one, is what makes life special. However the difference is having a slice of cake and moving on, rather than eating the whole cake and feeling guilty and anxious.
Top tip: Slow down and become more mindful when eating, this will help you realise when you’re full and to feel more emotionally satisfied.
Like with anything, if you enjoy it you’re more likely to stick to it, and whether your goals are to get fit for Christmas, stay motivated during the holidays or to focus on your fitness after Christmas, we’ve got the plan for you.
Familia, it’s never too late to start and if you’re looking for some extra motivation to fire up your progress sign up to our Kick Start challenge starting this January 2022. Let’s form strong, sustainable healthy habits together ❤️
