How to Stop Christmas From Wrecking Your Fitness Goals

With Christmas just around the corner, it’s that time of year again when sticking to fitness goals becomes trickier than finding a free parking space at the shopping centre. Between festive feasts, endless parties, and holiday treats, maintaining your fitness progress can feel like an impossible task. However, staying on track doesn’t mean forgoing all the fun! You can enjoy the festivities with a few practical strategies while keeping your goals in sight.

Keep Moving

Staying active during the holidays is your first line of defence against seasonal indulgence. Whether it’s a brisk morning walk, a quick bodyweight workout at home, or a mini sweat session at the gym, try to carve out time for exercise. Getting your workout done early is ideal—it’s much easier to squeeze in activity before the day’s festivities fully kick-off. Even a short workout can help offset some of those extra mince pies!

If you’re short on time, take advantage of opportunities throughout the day to move. Walk instead of drive, take the stairs, or get off public transport a stop early. You can even rally family or friends for a group walk—fresh air and activity are a great combination for festive spirit and staying on track.

Plan Ahead

If you know a big meal or party is coming up, plan your meals earlier in the day to keep things balanced. Opting for a light breakfast and a veggie-packed lunch can leave you room to indulge later without overloading calories. While it might be tempting to skip meals entirely, going into an event too hungry can backfire, leading to overeating.

For longer days with multiple meals or gatherings, consider pacing yourself. Enjoy a few bites of everything, but try not to overfill your plate. Eating mindfully allows you to savour each bite and avoid overindulgence.

Fill Up on Veggies and Fibre

Christmas meals are often heavy, but they don’t have to be devoid of nutritious options. Fill up on vegetables and fibre-rich foods wherever possible to keep you fuller for longer and support your digestive system as it handles the holiday feasts. Fibre helps manage blood sugar levels and curb those afternoon cravings, giving you more control over indulgences throughout the day.

Add a big portion of greens to each meal rather than skimping on the festive foods you love. Whether it’s Brussels sprouts, broccoli, or a festive salad, loading up on veg ensures you still get plenty of vitamins and minerals amidst the more indulgent dishes.

Stay Hydrated (Yes, Even with All the Christmas Spirits)

It’s no secret that alcohol can sneak into every Christmas celebration, from mulled wine to celebratory champagne. But alcohol dehydrates you, and without adequate hydration, it’s easy to feel sluggish and even hungrier than usual. Keep a water bottle nearby and aim to stay well-hydrated throughout the day, especially before the celebrations kick off.

Try setting a goal to drink water until noon to keep yourself hydrated before any festive drinks come into play. Hydration can also help manage your appetite, so you’re less tempted to overindulge when those seasonal treats start circulating.

Feast on Turkey (or Other Lean Proteins)

When it comes to festive meals, protein is your friend. If you’re filling up on anything, make it the turkey! Turkey is lean, high in protein, and low in calories, making it a great choice to help you feel full and fuelled without overdoing it. Including more protein in your meals can also support muscle maintenance, keeping you on track with fitness goals.

Lean protein sources don’t just help with satiety; they’re essential for muscle repair and recovery, especially if you fit in festive workouts. So, go ahead and help yourself with an extra slice of turkey or add protein-rich sides like beans and lentils to your meal.

Enjoy the Season

Christmas is about more than calories and workouts. It’s a time for connection, enjoyment, and making memories with family and friends. Stressing over every treat or worrying about a missed workout won’t do you any good. Embrace a balanced approach and allow yourself to indulge without guilt.

Maintaining a healthy relationship with food and fitness is crucial. Remember, your progress is built over months and years, not a few days. Enjoy the Christmas pudding, relax with loved ones, and let yourself take a break if needed. By adopting a flexible mindset, you’ll feel more energised and motivated to pick up where you left off come January.

It’s the Long Game That Matters

At Foundry, we believe in a sustainable approach to fitness. What counts isn’t the habits between Christmas and New Year but the ones between New Year and Christmas. So go ahead and enjoy the season! With a few mindful choices and a focus on staying active, you can celebrate without setting your fitness goals back. Enjoy every moment, and you’ll be ready to hit the ground running in January. Here’s to a balanced, joyful, and active Christmas!

We help our members with a nutritional programme that works for them. If you’re struggling, give us a shout at one of our personal training gyms in London, and we’ll help you work out a plan that suits you.