Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Seven top tips to keep your fitness up at Xmas
FINALISED your plans for Christmas?
If they are mainly to over-do everything then waddle into the New Year full of guilt, then here are seven top tips to stop that happening.
1 Active presents
The best way to stick to a Christmas health and fitness guide is to play with those gifts that make everyone active. If someone has been given a bike, skates or some fitness games like tennis on the Wii, get them out and play as a family.
2: Short bursts
Time is often in short supply at Christmas but — on even the busiest days — try to squeeze 10 minutes of exercise in before you go out in the morning — then another 10 after lunch and another 10 later in the evening. Studies have found short sessions like these are still effective.
3: Have a go
Health and weather permitting, find out what outdoor sporting events are taking place which might be a good fit for you. The New Year’s Day dook in Broughty Ferry might be a little hardcore but there are walking and cycling groups in this area too.
4: Set limits
Getting heavy-handed with the drink is going to derail all your health efforts so, if you’re having a party at home or round at a pal’s, stick to the sort of measures a pub would offer. Or maybe give yourself a drinks limit in the form of “only three glasses of wine”. Not only will it be better for you but your night will last a lot longer.
5: Scrub-up for Christmas
If you’re one of those folks who likes the house spotless for the Christmas season then you’ve got a great workout right there. Some robust housework will have you kneeling, stretching, carrying and working out with your arms as you scrub.
6: Exercise after food
If you go out for a festive meal try to fit in an exercise session after you’ve eaten — even a good walk would help. Studies show that exercising after you’ve eaten reduces blood sugar spikes, meaning less chance of snacking later.
7: Look at the long game
Christmas often involves a lot of eating just for the sake of it. Don’t go nuts with the treats — no pun intended — because you’ll just regret it. If you can leave the festive season at the same weight you arrived, that would be the best present of all.