Advisor Cathy and clients share their top tips for a healthier Christmas.  It’s NOT about NOT having the foods we enjoy – just watching how much we have!                                                                                      

  • Spread the big meals over the festive season instead of having day after day of big meals and going for healthier meal days in-between.  Check out our healthier Christmas dinner and all the trimmings recipes and Lose Weight Feel Great course highlights for how many calories are in our Christmas dinner foods.
  • Think carefully about how much alcohol you have with those empty calories – perhaps going for lower calorie options, adding low calorie mixers to drinks, measuring the amount, not topping up glasses so we know how much we are drinking.  A little of what we enjoy is much better than mindlessly drinking lots.  Track your alcohol consumption with the Drinkaware app.
  • Eat off a darker coloured plate (research proven to make a difference) and think about portion sizes when dishing up - make sure you can see the edges of the plate instead of filling it.  Dish out your veg first to fill the majority of your plate.  Get clued up on portion sizes with our Eatwell booklet.
  • Plan activity if possible pre, during and post-Christmas to help burn off those extras we are eating and also, help keep us healthy in body and mind – perhaps plan a walk with family or friends so you are committed to doing something.  The free myfitnesspal app can help you track activity and calories.
  • Don’t forget to count the cleaning up, housework or decorating as part of your activity – every bit of activity no matter how small counts – keep moving as much as possible.
  • Get your steps in around the house – perhaps use an app to motivate you – make your goals real and achievable as you can feel like you’ve let yourself down if you set your sights too ambitiously.  Work towards those higher goals, step by step!
  • Get that Christmas music on and have a kitchen boogie.  Join in with those interactive games the children have, or dust off your old fun active games to enjoy.
  • Be mindful of what you are eating and drinking – take time to stop and think if you really want that mince pie/chocolate/extra potato/glass of wine or, are you just having it for the sake of it and possibly won’t really even enjoy it!
  • Alternate alcoholic drinks with water to help keep hydrated.  You'll consume less calories and get better sleep and rest too.
  • After Christmas get back on the activity and diet plan that works for you – make those small changes that you decide work for you, to help you be in charge and sustain healthy weight loss.  Again our Eatwell booklet can help you get back on track.
  • Remember that taking down those decorations, starting that decorating, making that New Year walk you enjoyed into a regular walk or challenging yourself to start a Couch 2 5K course maybe with Derby Joggers in January.  These are all really positive steps to start off 2024.
  • The weekly email from your advisor has lots of information with current activities, our Facebook group, YouTube workout videos, virtual support and real life exercise sessions and there is always text or email contact with your advisor when you need a bit of help.