Staying on track while still having a good time is pretty straightforward. It will only take some planning. You probably went into a calorie deficit before going on holiday to look and feel your absolute best on holiday. But being on holiday, your main focus isn’t getting lean anymore. You want to have fun and make the most of it.
It's fun going out for a few drinks with friends or family, but alcohol can slow down your process in a few ways. Studies have shown that people drinking alcohol tend to eat more while out drinking, causing calorie surplus right here, without even thinking about it. And don't forget that early morning McDonald's stops, garage pies or grabbing anything when you get back from your night out. Alcohol also influences your fitness level, and if you track your heart rate while training and keep an eye on your resting heart rate, you will notice that your resting heart rate will quickly increase in bpm. You become less fit in a shorter period with alcohol than taking a break from training without drinking alcohol.
And we aren’t saying you aren’t allowed to enjoy a drink or two during the holidays, but if you are all about health and fitness, you do not want to start from “scratch” again in the new year.
Here are a few tips to stay closer to your goal while enjoying the festive times.
- We all know that discipline is critical. Depending on your training, schedule your first workout first thing in the morning, don’t think about it. Just go and do it. You will feel proud and more energised knowing you did something your future self will thank you for, and you still have a full day to enjoy.
- Be creative with your workout; it doesn't have to be a traditional workout. Go and play volleyball, ice skating, hiking, or anything you find fun. You will forget that you are doing it for an activity but focus on the fun you are having. Burning calories does not have to be a punishment. But if you are more about hardcore training, plan your workout just like you planned your holiday.
- Go for a hike and enjoy the beautiful scenery around you. Keep your goal in mind and remember why you keep on moving this holiday. Our bodies want to move, and you will feel even better.
- If you are away from home, go and explore. Choose to walk instead of driving when possible.
- Most people tend to consume more food during this time. Although it's great to taste new foods, we recommend keeping portion control in mind. Those calories can quickly build up. If you love food, choose a treat per day but try not to overindulge.
Make healthy choices when eating out; choose veggies instead of chips/fries. Focus on your protein intake; it’s easy to get lost in carb foods because they look more attractive.
Going over your maintenance calories for one day won’t matter, but the longer you do that, the quicker weight gain may happen.
Change your focus when going out; food is not the only special thing on Your holiday. You can still have a good time by appreciating where you’re at, the environment, and the company you’re with. A great vacation is about experiencing things you wouldn’t normally do back home. Eating different food is the cherry on the cake. And you can have this without going to extremes.
- When it comes to drinks, if you want to enjoy a drink or two, I would suggest looking at how many calories they have before going out. You would be surprised how high some of the cocktails are in calories. And remember, if you wake up with a hangover, you will likely skip your workout the following day and want to binge on unhealthy snacks.
- Stay hydrated. Drinking enough fluids like water will not only keep you hydrated but will also keep you feeling fuller for a bit longer. Before grabbing an unhealthy snack, drink some water first and think about do you need to eat that now? We tend to drink less water on holidays, and being out of routine, our bodies might feel confused and hungry while they most need more fluids to stay hydrated.
- Practice saying no. It can be challenging, especially over the holiday time, but saying no to a dessert, you actually know how it tastes before you feel stuffed, can save you from going over your daily calories, spiking your insulin and saving those calories on something you want to try out later the holiday. It will become easier with time and worth more than just stuffing yourself with the food you will regret later on.
We can add so much more tips to the list, but at the end of the day, it all comes down to discipline and where you want your starting point to be in January. This is your journey, and everything you do is only for yourself.
If you choose health and fitness, remember it's a lifestyle change you take with you everywhere you go.