As Christmas rapidly approaches, a sense of doom creeps over a certain portion of the fitness community. The first whiff of mulled wine and the first glimpse of a Quality Street tin can spark a minor panic among some, especially if they have been putting in the work all year.
It would be bad enough if the amount of food in the house tripling was the only issue. But for many, that same house will be full of people with one goal. Making you eat. Plenty of people we’ve been talking to are worried that a few weeks of festivity will unravel months of progress and we won’t tell anyone that it isn’t a valid concern.
So as we barrel into the eye of the Christmas storm, we decided to focus on what can be done to safeguard the gains and minimise the losses over the festive period, all while trying to avoid any ‘scrooge’ accusations from around the table. It is going to be a challenge, but we here at Ashbourne love a challenge.
So the goal here isn’t to go through Christmas with a scowl on your face, scaring any family member that approaches you. It is to navigate Christmas, have a good time and keep our hard work mostly intact. It should be an exercise in balance, not willpower or social combat.
At The Table
Try not to view the dinner table as a battleground over Christmas. Focusing on fitness is a wonderful lifestyle choice and a good cause, but if it is causing stress, it is time to take stock.
There are two main approaches to making the most of Christmas meals. The first is to make good use of the number of proteins available. Whatever the meat of choice is around your table, make sure to lead with that, followed by complex carbs.
The other half is portion control. Grab what you want and be sure to firm and polite if anyone asks why your plate is half full. Unfortunately Christmas is a time of year where people are more likely to comment on that, but it usually comes from a good place and a desire for everyone to have their fill.
Away From The Table
But if the dinner table was the only problem during Christmas, it would be easy right? No it is the gauntlet of crisps, snacks and the aforementioned quality streets that can quickly get lost in a frenzy of ‘oh why not’.
The key here is a combination of mindfulness, a willingness to give a polite no and bringing your own preference of healthier snacks.
Keep Moving, Enjoy Moving
Find any excuse to move. Whether it is doing the dishes, running an errand or just going for a walk every day to ‘admire the Christmas lights’. The bonus with the latter means that it also gets you out of the house and helps with digesting.
Don’t stay committed to the house just because it is socially expected or because it is cold outside. Find reasons to keep active, whether it is keeping the children entertained or heading out for some last minute supplies.
Rest is Not Laziness
Remember to be kind to yourself over the Christmas period. These are quite literally the darkest days of the year and when you add on socialising there is every chance you’ll need more sleep than usual.
Christmas is ultimately a period of celebration and rest, and it is important to do both if your situation allows it. That lie-in or an early night isn’t you giving up on your plans, it is a sustainable approach. A proper rest lets your body manage richer foods and recover from any training you have managed to sneak in.
Our goal is to approach Christmas and New Year in a way that means we don’t feel shattered and tired come the first of January.
There is only one rule. Be Kind
This is the most important one. Being kind to others is something we are told a lot for good reason, but don’t forget to be kind to yourself along the way. If you have a huge meal, or you skip a week of gym, the dangerous next step is to think, “Right, that’s it, I’ve ruined everything. I might as well carry on.” That thought does more damage than the meal itself.
Be kind to yourself and forgive yourself, no matter how the Christmas period goes. Don’t judge yourself too harshly for one extraordinary week in bleak midwinter.
Maintenance is the Goal
Your job in December is maintenance, not perfection. Manage your expectations and set laughably small goals. There is a desire to overcorrect and be a paragon of health. To avenge all those previous Christmases where you overindulged by living like an ascetic monk.
But it is a trap. Make your goals small and manageable. Drink your water, get seven or eight hours of sleep where you can. Go for a walk every day that you can. Hit a short bodyweight circuit twice a week if you are really lucky. Nail these fundamentals, and you’ll be in a far stronger position come January than if you’d aimed for perfection and gave up entirely.
Enjoy the Quality Time with your Loved Ones
We know it is soppy, but we didn’t think it was right to end this blog any other way. The holidays are about connection. If you are lucky enough to have loved ones to spend the holidays with, enjoy it.
Instead of worrying about squeezing in every workout or tracking every meal, focus on the joy of being with family and friends. Go for a brisk winter walk together, play an active game, or share stories and laughter. These moments nourish your mental well-being, every bit as important as your physical well-being.
And finally remember that fitness is a long-term project. We aren’t defined by our behaviour in the festive period, but by the other 50 weeks of the year. The trick is to let Christmas coexist with your fitness aims with as little stress as possible.
Focus on balance, say no where you can, and if you consider Christmas to be a special time then from all of us at Ashbourne Membership Management, enjoy the festive while it lasts.
