How to Survive the Xmas Binge and not regret it!

Kickstartut
Nov 5 · 3 min read

If you’re one that’s slightly concerned about the amount you’ll be eating over the Christmas period, this post should help you out to stay on track and not fall too far behind with the expected over-indulgence with friends and family.

It’s important to spend times with loved ones, however you can still stay on top of your eating/drinking habits and be social at the same time.

If you’re not too bothered and may look to get back to it post-Xmas in the New Year, this will still come in handy with the methods that can be applied all year round dependent on what you have going on in your lives.

Here are six pointers to help you survive the Xmas Binge and maintain what you have :

  1. Eat healthily most of the time

This can be as simple as employing a 80/20 rule where for 80% of your eating habits are focused on what you would normally eat and the other 20, is to devour whatever you see fit. This will help a decent balance and maintain what you have going forward. Another over-used thrase especially in the nutrition World but moderation is key.

2 . Mind your portion sizes

Where a lot of people go wrong over Christmas, is absolutely ramming their plates full of food which can put them in a position where they feel uncomfortable/sick. One way to combat this is to eat until you’re satisfied, not stuffed. That way you might have only eaten a couple of hundred calories over, rather than a thousand.

3. Eat food that you enjoy

This may sound strange to some but with food and drink, it’s an occasion where it’s good for us to enjoy what we’re consuming and make the most of the company you surround yourself with. If you love having Christmas Pudding, have Christmas Pudding — just don’t have an absurd amount of it. Self-control is a limiting factor for many who are unsuccessful “dieters”.

4. Limit your liquid calories

A lot of people are unaware of how many calories are in beverages (mainly alcohol) and how that can sneak up on you with the amount of calories that you can consume in a day without feeling full. Did you know that three large glasses of red wine could equate to 660 calories?
Another factor is that if you have consumed far too much alcohol, this will usually proceed with a binge in takeaways, fast food and pigging out on food that you wished you hadn’t and before you know it you’ve smashed out 3000 calories.

5. Keep your exercise routine

It’s common for people to slack off their exercise completely over the festive period. One thing I would suggest is don’t do this for two reasons : 1. You’ll compensate more of the over indulgence by factoring in the exercise and 2. You’ll feel much better for it

6. Drop the guilt —

This is arguably the most important part of the whole post as it’s guilt and resentment that leads to unhealthy relationships/behaviours with food and drink. If after reading all of the previous pointers you’ve still over done it. don’t worry. Get back on the band-wagon, eat a little less the next day and add in some extra exercise. One day of overeating isn’t going to make a big difference in the grand scheme of things, however 7–10 days of it will. Remember that.

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