5 Secrets to Staying Healthy This Christmas
A HAPPY + HEALTHY XMAS
It can be really difficult to stay healthy during the festive season.
There are so many delicious treats around (that are very tempting) – there’s drinking, festive cheer and theres lots of food. Christmas time can also be a stressful time of year, we are often really busy and don’t get enough sleep and generally don’t get much exercise.
5 secrets to staying healthy this Xmas
1. Drink 1 glass of water for every serving of alcohol you drink.
PLUS drink 8 glasses of water every day – this is the number 1 rule to staying healthy! Avoid excessive drinking – alcohol contains a huge amount of calories and it dehydrates the body. Avoid shots & sugary cocktails as much as you can and sip on your drink of choice slowly. If you drink slowly then you will drink less…but you don’t always need a drink in your hand!
2. Remember to eat your veggies!
It’s Christmas and so it’s okay to eat lots of yummy food but keep eating your veggies and you will stay healthy. At each meal, fill half your plate with veggies and leafy greens, less than a quarter of your plate with anything “carby” (potatoes, grains, bread, pasta, etc) and a quarter of your plate with lean protein (meat, fish, poultry, legumes, nuts, seeds)… add some healthy fats to your meal too (avocado, nuts, seeds, cold-pressed oils).
3. Remember that a treat is a treat.
Christmas time guarantees 1 thing: lots of treats! But if you eat treats all the time then it no longer feels like a treat & it loses its specialness. Instead of eating every sweet treat that gets handed to you, save yourself for your favourite desserts and sweets, and indulge on those only. There may be moments when it feels difficult to do, but it’s so worth it!
4. Do a little bit of exercise.
Do 16 minutes of exercise 3 times a week – take part in my 16 minute workout challenge (everyone has 16 minutes) or go for walks outside every day and enjoy the festive cheer! It’s so easy!
5. Get decent sleep & enough rest!
The festive season can be a busy time of year but making sure that you get enough sleep is so important. When you make sure that you get a decent amount of sleep you will feel happier, healthier, less stressed, less depressed and you will be more fun to be around! Make sure that you get between 7 and a half to 9 hours of sleep every night.
More than anything, enjoy the festive season and make the most of it – it only comes around once a year!
Merry Christmas!
Liezl Jayne xo
Ps. I’ve also got a 3 day eating plan for weight-loss that you can download here on my blog – this is what I used to lose 40 Lbs!
Photos by Liezl Jayne for liezljayne.com
