Our friends at Fernwood Fitness have written such a fantastic post that we just had to share it with you guys. Hopefully we can all take on board these great tips and stay fit and fab this Summer.

How to indulge while staying fit and fabulous this festive season  

The average person gains 2kg over the festive season. But unlike the rest of those unwanted Christmas presents, those 2 kilograms don’t come with an easy return receipt.

Sure, Christmas is a time to indulge, but don’t let Santa’s arrival on December 25 turn you into a jolly snowman before you hit the beach this summer; follow our tips for having a light and lean Christmas, while still enjoying the occasional treat or two.

1. Christmas is one day

Yes, Christmas is one day, but we seem to celebrate it from November 1 right through to the start of January. If you indulge at every festive event, there’s no doubt you’ll be harbouring a few extra kilos under your Santa suit by Christmas Eve. So pick and choose the events you’re going to indulge at. Try to differentiate “special” occasions from run-of-the-mill drinks with acquaintances, and make sure you have a healthy meal before you hit the parties you want to be restrained at – deep-fried canapés do not constitute a meal.

2. Go for quality, not quantity

Don’t waste kilojoules on cheap crackers and supermarket cheese – this is the season to indulge, so do it well. Summer fruits and fresh seafood pack a flavour punch with a fraction of the kilojoules of cheap chips and chocolate cupcakes. Savour the experience of eating good-quality food occasionally rather than stuffing your face with high-fat snacks.

3. Make time to work out

Between the extra parties and days off work, it’s easy to fall out of your usual workout routine over the Christmas period. But you’ll be thankful you stayed on track in the coming warmer months. Make movement a daily priority; a quick circuit routine at your local Fernwood or a sprint around the block will do your energy levels wonders and help you stay on top of all the Christmas activity, while helping you burn off a few of those sneaky cocktails too.

4. Get enough sleep

Late nights and champagne dinners can catch up on you quite quickly – making that workout session the next day rather unappealing. So splurge on a luxurious new bed spread as an early Christmas present to entice you under the covers before midnight. That way, you’ll ensure you get enough shut-eye so you can get up bright and early to make your morning BodyPump class.

5. Drink responsibly

The liquid kilojoules in alcoholic beverages really add up. Half a bottle of wine will give you the same number of kilojoules as a McDonald’s Strawberry Sundae. Plus, alcohol has been scientifically proven to stimulate your appetite and make you crave fatty food. So after a few festive cheers those canapés you were smart enough to avoid at the beginning of the night will start to look mighty tasty… This is a time to treat yourself, so there’s no need to abstain altogether. But if you like to hold something in your hand while you’re at a party, switch to plain or sparkling mineral water after a glass or two to stay in control of your choices.

6. Start each day with a healthy breakfast

A popular strategy for weight maintenance over Christmas is skipping breakfast. But think twice before making this mistake. A sensible breakfast sets you up for better choices later in the day, because you won’t have that mentality of being able to indulge in extra kilojoules saved from skipping your morning muesli. Starting each day on the right foot will allow you to feel like you’re getting off to a good start, even if you have overindulged a little the night before.

Article found at http://www.fernwoodfitness.com.au/Weight-Loss—Exercise/Weight-Loss/How-to-indulge-while-staying-fit-and-fabulous-this/