Have yourself a very MODERATE Christmas time – to keep on track

It's a popular misconception that personal trainers only eat chicken and broccoli. Or that we were somehow magically gifted with the desire to only eat so-called "health foods."

I can only speak for myself here, but I love to indulge in my favourite Christmas treats!! Wine, chocolates, stolen cake, cheese, buffet food and mince pies with brandy cream. And of course, a big Christmas lunch!

But I do it in moderation because my goal, like every year, is to enjoy the festive period and get through it without gaining too much weight or losing my fitness.

So, for me it's all about balance.

Here's how I enjoy Christmas treats and still feel healthy and strong …

Prioritise Exercise

I make a workout deal with myself… Enjoy the festive treats but in return I must workout at least 3-4 times a week throughout December. If I don't my fitness will rapidly deteriorate, I will gain weight quickly and my willpower and motivation will disappear. I like to workout early on a morning so that it's out of the way and not hanging over me for the rest of the day.

I drink 2 litres of water per day. (tea, coffee and other drinks are not included in that 2 litres). Water is the best way of controlling cravings, especially cravings for salty snacks!

Follow The 80/20 Rule

I follow this rule most of the year and I'm going to make sure I don't break it over Christmas. It's simple… eat nutritious foods 80 percent of the time and have a serving of your favourite treat with the other 20 percent. This way you can enjoy the treats but still have a good balance of healthy foods.

It's important to schedule rest days in your workout routine so your body can rest and recover. Normally I rest on a weekend but I'm giving myself Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off (Thursday and Friday) to spend time with friends and family and to indulge.

Having those rest days scheduled in will motivate me to get out and exercise in the days leading up to Christmas and then get back into my routine again on Boxing Day - it's important your rest days, don't turn into a rest week!

I always aim to get 10,000 steps a day and the Christmas period will be no different. Achieving 10,000 steps a day might not be intense but ensures that you're active on a daily basis, and when you do it consistently it encourages healthy habits. It's the things we do CONSISTENTLY that make all the difference! Not the things we do every once in a while.

Adults should - Aim to be physically active every day. Any activity is better than none, and more is better still. Do strengthening activities that work all the major muscles (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms) on at least 2 days a week. Do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity a week. Reduce time spent sitting or lying down and break up long periods of not moving with some activity. You can also achieve your weekly activity target with: Several short sessions of very vigorous intensity activity. A mix of moderate, vigorous and very vigorous intensity activity. You can do your weekly target of physical activity on a single day or over 2 or more days. Whatever suits you. These guidelines are also suitable for: disabled adults; pregnant women and new mothers.