Getting Through the Toughest Part of the Year

It seems to come earlier each year. The weekends fill up with lunches and dinners from mid-November, along with the catch-ups with friends we haven’t seen all year, the office parties, and the long summer Sunday sessions.

Generally speaking, this is the time of year when we let our hair down. But it begs the question...“With all that hard work I’ve put in at the gym throughout the year, how do I enjoy myself through the festive season without undoing it all?”

At the end of this article, I’m going to give you my top five, hot tips on how to enjoy it all...without losing it all. But first, my summary of the festive season...

Once the social commitments have been met, then comes the family get-together for Christmas, followed by all those wonderful leftovers on Boxing Day in front of the television for day one of the Boxing Day Test. Six days later and we’re off again, welcoming in the New Year with friends and with that comes the timely reminder to create a resolution - stop smoking, cut back on drinking, eat healthier, and join a gym. Then by January 6, when we’ve firmly forgotten about those resolutions, it’s back to work for the New Year. Sound familiar?

The reason I’ve created this vision is because I believe it’s one we all resonate with, or a version similar to that, and generally one that is replayed every year. And when we return to work in the New Year, we start talking about “getting back into the old routine,” or “needing to lose the Christmas pudding.” This then leads to a feeling of “what’s the point? I’ve worked so hard at the gym all year and I’ve just gone and put it all back on in three weeks!” I get it. It’s bloody frustrating.

That’s why I want you to think about that summary of the festive season again. If you’re doing the same thing every year, you’re going to continue to get the same results.

Hot Tip Number 1 - Recognising Insanity

Doing the same thing everyday and expecting different results is the definition of insanity. If you’ve worked hard all year on your diet and exercise, and you truly want to maintain that physique, then you can’t go into the festive season the same way you’ve been doing it in the past.

Hot Tip Number 2 - Planning and Preparation

Once you recognise a change needs to be made, a bit of planning and preparation will make all the difference. Plan to make a glass of water your ‘every other drink’ at every event. Be prepared for your mum to offer you seconds at the Christmas table, then try to resist that temptation; if you manage your portion sizes this time of year it’ll go a long way to keeping you on track.

Hot Tip Number 3 - A Little Bit of Training Won’t Kill You

Your normal diet and training may very well change throughout December and January, but it doesn’t have to stop altogether. Whether you’re travelling to be with family or they’re coming to visit you, getting up early and going for a run or getting a couple of sessions in at the gym is still possible.

Hot Tip number 4 - Watch the Sweets

Anyone that knows me will probably say I’m being hypocritical here as I have a fairly sweet tooth, and I’m not saying don’t indulge, just be mindful of the amount of sugar that’s sitting on the Christmas table, masked in the form of biscuits, mince tarts and chocolates.

Hot Tip Number 5 - Cut Yourself Some Slack

I’d like to finish on this note. It’s the festive season. If you get
from December 1 to January 31 without putting on any weight, take the win. It’s the time of year to be with family and friends and to celebrate another fantastic year, while welcoming in a new one. So enjoy the break. And don’t beat yourself up if it doesn’t quite go to plan. You can always call me in January.

For any further assistance or tips on how to look after yourself throughout the festive season, you can email me directly at john@fieldgoals.com.au.

From the team at Field Goals Fitness, we’d like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2017.