Just like in the summer, at this time of year magazines are plagued with faddy diets and quick fixes which apparently help you feel great and body confident for the festive season. I’m going to get right to it, I think most of these articles are a load of crap and very restrictive at a time when you want to indulge and have a great time.
Who wants to be sitting in a corner drinking a green smoothie, while everyone else is celebrating with eggnog, gingerbread and mince pies? Not me, and I’m pretty sure the majority of you reading this post feel exactly the same way.
It’s easy to think that you can’t be healthy and enjoy yourself at Christmas time, but you can! Yes! You can eat well and face plant yourself in Christmas cake and not feel like a bloated whale afterwards by simply making the right choices for your body. Everyone is different, therefore health is a very personal thing. Do what works best for you, but never deprive your body what it craves, especially during the most wonderful time of the year!
Staying happy and healthy at Christmas doesn’t have to be a total challenge. I’ve got you covered with these 5 easy tips that will help you instill some healthy habits over the festive season, send the food guilt packing and have you looking and feeling fabulous for all of those Christmas parties.
1. A bit of what you fancy is GOOD and forget the guilt trip
If you fancy that mince-pie that is calling your name and you’re trying your best to ignore it, eat it! If you don’t know by now I’m a massive advocate of a healthy balance and I hope that comes across on my blog. Don’t feel guilty about indulging in heavier foods over the festive period or, in fact, any time of the year, they’re there to be enjoyed just like healthier foods too.
2. Don’t forget to top up your water as well as your champagne darling!
It’s the festive season, so I expect that the alcohol will be flowing non-stop, however, it’s also important to drink lots of water too. Water keeps you hydrated as well as alert and is great for glowing and fantastic looking skin. Sometimes hunger pangs are mistaken for thirst, so it’s worth drinking a glass of water first if you have recently eaten.
3. Bust your favourite moves
Just because it’s Christmas it doesn’t mean that you can’t exercise. I’m not talking about going to the gym, not like there’s anything wrong with that at Christmas time! Long family walks on Boxing Day, dancing around your living room to your favourite Christmas songs, shopping in the sales are all great ways to dust off the cobwebs after being cooped up inside for so long.
4. Snack on healthy foods in between meals
Have some healthy snacks on standby to keep you going between meals if you do get hungry because I know I do! By snacking healthy between meals, it means that you can indulge during your main meals and not feel guilty. Making your own homemade snacks is easy, give my Banana Bread Granola Bars a whirl!
Get on my email list to get your hands on my Healthy Snacking 101 E-Guide. You can get your copy here.
5. Have a blast and enjoy every moment
Relax and enjoy yourself, it’s Christmas after all and it only comes around once a year. Revel in spending time with your friends and family, throw your glitter and tinsel in the air, immerse yourself in all things Christmas and have a blast!
Christmas shouldn’t be remembered for how many calories you consumed or the number on the scales, but for those special moments spent with your friends and family. If you’ve skipped a run, scoffed too many chocolates or drank a barrel load of festive cocktails don’t worry, be kind to yourself, you can soon get back to your wholesome ways.
Forget the food guilt instead eat, drink and be fabulous!
The key for me is to only eat things that I know I am going to really enjoy. Rather than just eating things because they are there.
Same here Dannii, definitely the approach that I’m going to take this year.
Those are really great tips for festive season. We all need to think of what we are eating and taking care of our bodies, despite the holidays 😉
Ha! So true Margot, I hope you have a lovely festive season.
Great post! It’s good to remember that walks with the family, dancing etc is a good way to get moving and to make the most of enjoying Christmas with family! I always try to be “sensible” rather than “good” over the Christmas season and I find that helps!
I love your approach Emma, it’s all about being sensible rather than good and finding that happy balance that suits you.
Those granola bars look delicious! I’m definitely the one that was found in the corner drinking a green smoothie last week while everyone else tucked into mulled wine. But I definitely am letting myself have some little bits here and there! It’s hard not too! These are great tips! xx #love2blog
Thanks Chloe! You definitely have to enjoy yourself at Christmas time!
Great tips here so thanks so much for sharing. I always dread the scales in January after over-indulging at Christmas, so the key for me is to allow myself “treats” during the festive period, but always eat them in moderation xx
You’re welcome Vikki! 🙂 I think you have a great strategy there. I hope you have a lovely Christmas.
Great post. I am loving the granola bars
Thanks Stella!
What a wonderful post. These are great tips for year round.
Yes, not just for Christmas! Thank you! 🙂
Deffinately not going to be feeling any guilt this christmas. In fact, Im totes going to be rockin’ my food babies 😉
Glad to hear it Lucie! 😀
great tip! Especially drinking water along with other drinks. I need to remember that one 😉
It’s so easy to forget about water at this time of year! 🙂
These are great tips. I always got over the top on Christmas day and Boxing day but I am always pretty good through the rest of the weeks… hopefully I haven’t jinxed that for this year now! x
Thank you! Ha! I’m sure that you haven’t jinxed it and I like how you allow yourself treats over Christmas.
Some great advice, I can;t stand all these fad diets that are being advertised everywhere. I agree with you, everything in moderation 🙂
It’s mad isn’t it! Advertising restrictive eating at this time of year is crazy! A healthy balance is where it’s at!
These are fab tips. And shopping the boxing dash sales is my favourite form of exercise! Xx
Ha! A girl after my own heart! 🙂
Great post I love that you reminded people to keep people hydrated and healthy during the Christmas season as in our gluttony we sometimes forget!
So true Ana!
There are some great tips here, I think there is too much pressure on carrying on and staying healthy and then ending up miserable because you have eaten a mince pie or a chocolate. I have always gone with the if you want it have it, you usually find that way you don’t crave as much and don’t eat as unhealthily as you think you do x
Love your approach! Eating the food you love brings so much joy, there is no harm in indulging at all!
I plan to eat and feast on lots of healthy foods, not to binge but eat lots of cake and continue to pay no attention to calories – I have never counted them so don’t plan to start now!
Same here Kezia! The only thing I will be counting is how many mince pies I can scoff, ha!
great post, although I never feel guilty about what I eat at Christmas, I love my food too much LOL. But I do go on just dance on the wii with the kids
Perfect fun way to stay fit over the holiday. I love that the kids can get involved too!
Thanks for the tips! Sure this will help me get through the holidays without feeling horrible and guilty.
You’re very welcome Lorraine!
These are some fantastic tips – I really need to get on top of my water intake.
Same here Sarah, some days are better than others.
Some great tips. I want to stay healthy over Christmas, but can’t be doing with diet watching (love my mince pies too much! 🙂 )
I’ll try and remember to stick to the water between alcoholic drinks. It’s a rule I know well but sometimes have difficulty putting into practise lol
Sounds like you have such a great approach, Wendy! I hope you have a lovely Christmas and enjoy those mince pies.
What great tips! Perfect for the season of partying. I must definitely recommend to up my water intake and I will be packing my running shoes for my time at home 🙂 Thanks for sharing theses x
You’re very welcome! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas at home.
I generally don’t look at what I’m eating over Christmas. It will all fall off again come January.
Now there’s a girl after my own heart! 🙂
I just love this post! I totally believe in balance and eating well/exercising whilst still enjoying treats and not feeling guilty. I especially like the dancing for exercise tip 🙂
Thanks Cliona! I totally agree, moderation is key to being happy and healthy.
Great tips hun! Gosh that breakfast looks AMAZING <3
I wish this was something i could do… lush breakfast, healthy drink, workout, healthy snack – I can only dream.
Trying to do better though.
I will be using your tips not just for the festive season 😀
Charlotte x
You so can do this Charlotte! Just find what works for you and your body!
Great post – I believe life is to short to feel guilty! If you treat yourself, enjoy it! Or it isn’t worth it 🙂 Kaz x
Love this Kaz!
Oh I love this so much! This is exactly how I feel about things, but I still end up feeling guilty sometimes. It’s annoying because since I’ve become healthier I actually feel more guilt! Great tips and thanks for reminding me 🙂 xx
We all need little reminders like this sometimes Louise. Glad to hear you found this post helpful! 🙂
Great tips. I’m a firm believer that everything is good in moderation.
That’s music to my ears Izabela!
I suppose the bonus of being a Mum means the lack of social life, pre baby all the Christmas parties were always gonna cause havoc. Brilliant tips though- and I for one am always forgetful at drinking water so I’ll make sure to keep to that! x
Ha! I know the feeling since becoming a mum! I think we all struggle with the water thing.
I could not agree with this post more!
Thank you!
As I won’t be able to go to the gym this Christmas, dancing to Christmas songs is definitely going to my favourite way of getting a bit of exercise in 😉
And a fun way at that! 🙂
Some fantastic tips, especially number 5 which I think is the most important x
Thanks Rachel!
Yes! I love this advice.
Great advice. For me Christmas doesn’t hugely change the way I eat or spend my time. I still go to the gym and go running (there’s a parkrun on Christmas day, I’m so excited!) but only because I enjoy doing those things, not because I feel the need to ‘work off’ any extra calories or create a calorie deficit so I can eat more. When it’s not Christmas I’ll enjoy sweet treats and meals out, so at Christmas it’s just the same just more Christmassy (less carrot cake, more mince pies!). Of course Christmas day is one big day of food – but it’s just one day. You don’t eat like that every single day!
I definitely don’t drink enough over the winter months – water, that is! 😉
These are great tips and admittedly I keep saying I’ll start exercising after Christmas but there’s no reason why I couldn’t start before. xx
Great post, I definitely don’t drink enough water! If in doubt there is always January to do a detox right?! x
It’s the holiday season and we might as well kick back and enjoy the treats. Your tips are great and a perfect way to rid ourselves of the guilt that comes from indulging in all the pleasures of the holidays! 🙂
I am still carrying lots of baby weight but it is too near to Christmas to worry about it now. x
Really sensible tips. I will try to curb my snacking. Chocolate still isn’t healthy is it 😉
These are great tips! I always feel really bloated by the end of Christmas Day, and that makes me feel worn out and grumpy. I’m looking forward to getting a couple of walks in with my dog this time, and I’m sure that’s going to make me feel happier
I agree; we should be able to enjoy ourselves and forget about calories to an extent over the Christmas period!
Great tips! I need to show this to a friend of mine who’s really in a flap about enjoying herself over Christmas when it comes to food. This will be a big help!!