Christmas is upon us, and our team here at Lady Wimbledon is no stranger to Christmas parties. Cocktails, warm mince pies, and the company of friends—we’re all for the whole package. But we also know it can be hard to stick to your weight goals when tasty treats and Christmas cheer surround you.
Fortunately, there are ways to keep your health in check during this season of gatherings and celebrations. Here are five top health tips to get you through Christmas:
- Balance your meals
While indulging in staple holiday meals is common during the festive season, it’s important not to overcompensate by depriving yourself some days. Instead, practising a balanced and mindful approach is much better. Balanced diet plans can help you achieve personal milestones and ensure sustainable weight management through the holiday season. These plans provide an overview of nutritional data that can help you fit healthier eating into your preferred lifestyle. This way, you can fully enjoy your holidays without derailing your weight goals.
- Have a regular meal schedule
The holidays are a time of year when we get less light exposure. Wimbledon gets roughly nine hours of sunlight during the winter, and failing to maximise that could throw-off your circadian rhythm and lead to weight gain. Your body naturally craves more food when it’s dark outside, but it struggles to process meals eaten at night. This will make it harder for you to lose weight. Try sticking to a regular meal schedule during the holidays, even if that means going out for dinner earlier than usual.
- Continue to exercise
With so many family traditions and gatherings this season, it’s easy for exercise to take a back seat. To maintain a healthy weight, it’s essential to keep an exercise routine, even if it’s just for a few minutes each day. We know it’s tempting to sit back after enjoying a huge meal, but why not walk off some of it instead? Wimbledon has a couple of parks and recreational spaces, such as Cottenham Park or Nelson Gardens, where you can walk off your lunch. A half-hour walk around these areas can help you burn as much as 300 calories—that’s almost half of a cheeseburger.
- Keep yourself hydrated
In the run-up to Christmas, it can be easy to forget about staying hydrated. But keeping your body well-hydrated is key to staying healthy and ensuring your mind and body perform at their best. The NHS recommends drinking six to eight glasses of water daily, but sugar-free drinks such as the local favourite hard seltzers also count. To reach this goal, try drinking some water or tea before you sit down for a dinner party or before you leave your house in the morning.
- Slow down on the alcohol
Although Wimbledon locals know how to party with their favourite cocktails, the Christmas holidays are not an excuse to drink yourself into oblivion if you’re trying to manage your weight. Alcohol can be a great source of empty calories. It’s much better to pair your meals with non-alcoholic beverages like water or sparkling water. But, if you can’t avoid having a drink, try to stick to one or two glasses and ensure that they’re light beers or wines—those tend to have fewer calories than other varieties.
Whether you’re trying to maintain your weight or lose some pounds, the holiday season can bring out all kinds of cravings and unhealthy habits. It’s not always easy to stay on track with your diet this season, but with the right mindset and strategy, you’ll be off to a good start when the New Year rolls around.
