The countdown is on, and in this blog post I’m going to give you the tools you need, to survive the end of year drinks and Christmas Day! The best defense is a strong offense; cliché I know, but it’s true. So let’s formulate a plan to set you up for success.

Did you know that December is like any other month of the year? That means that the gym and your supermarkets are open apart from 2 days (Christmas Day and Boxing day).  So,

Step 1. Stick to your gym routine and food planning

  • That way, even if you have that many drinks that you can’t look any of your co-workers in the eye anymore, at least you were still on track for most of the day. And if you go out for drinks twice in a week, that’s okay too. Your only human and you’re allowed to have a good time.
  • Sticking to your routine will hold you accountable. If you know that your alarm is going to go off at 5am and you are serious about your goals, you might have one drink less, or head home half an hour early, it all counts.
  • Every time you go to the gym, or prep your meals, you are following through with a positive habit that will keep you on track over the long term. That’s what we’re here for. So don’t worry if you are feeling dusty and don’t give your workout 100%, you are still running laps around the people in bed or on the couch.

Step 2. Use the following tools to help you stick to your gym routine and food planning

  • Do your meal prep on the weekend (or when you have the most time, and the least excuses)
  • Offer to be the designated driver. Your friends will love you for it and unless you plan on breaking the law, you are going to consume a heck of a lot less alcoholic calories
  • Set yourself a weekly budget for social events, and stick to it!
  • Drink lots and lots of H2O. Water is not only important to help suppress hunger but will also aid your body in processing all that irresistible sauv blanc.
  • Just because you’re at a party, doesn’t mean you have to eat “bad” food. Be conscious of the nutritional value of what you are eating. Hot tip: This is often easier the more sober we are.

What about the big one, Christmas day? Well, that all depends if you’ve been naughty or nice! If you have been sticking to your gym routine and meal prep all of December, then you have nothing to worry about. Get stuck in, have a massive feast, enjoy all of the sweet and savory delights Christmas has to offer. It’s only one day. And as long as one day doesn’t turn into a weeklong bender, you will be fine. What you put on, will mostly be temporary water weight, replenished glycogen stores and stomach content. Not fat. And you’ll lose it as soon as your diet returns to normal.

So keep at it through December, don’t throw away your hard earned work for the “festive season” (it’s just another month). Then reward all your hard work with some goodies on Christmas day with your loved ones.