HOLIDAY HEALTH TIPS

Just like that, the year-end functions and the excitement of the festive season are upon us, and by the time you read this, the holiday season will be well and truly in full swing.

It is inevitable that someone in the family will be armed with all those delish festive treats – mince pies, chocolates, cakes – and not to mention the drinks and cocktails you’ll enjoy and the extra braai’s, beach snacks and nibbles at the poolside.

So, what is the trick to avoid gaining weight during the festive season, without feeling like you’re being deprived of the treats and spoils?

1. Enjoy the treats but keep moving! Go for a walk with the kids, do an online workout, walk the dog, play sport on the beach. Give yourself “permission” to eat all foods. Usually during the festive season, we cannot always control the types of food on offer. When you deprive yourself of certain foods, you often tend to want them more. Permission does not mean you have to eat everything in sight. It means you are giving yourself the chance to enjoy the treats that everyone else is enjoying – but, you are being mindful of how much you are eating. Eat in moderation and enjoy every bite.

HOLIDAY

health tips

THIS TIME OF YEAR IS ALL ABOUT MINDFULLY EATING AND MOVING THROUGH DECEMBER, AND SETTING GOALS FOR THE NEW YEAR, SAYS HEALTH LIFESTYLE GURU CHRISTY ANN

2. Have healthy treats readily available – and make sure some of them are healthier low-carb treats. Enjoying these will result in fewer blood sugar spikes, and in turn will help those cravings, thus making a significant difference to your energy levels. Try Googling any low-carb options, like lowcarb chocolate mousse made with avocado, or strawberry shortcake made with almond flour. Have a stock of lowcarb granola bars and snacks stashed away. There are many “carb smart” options at shops like Wellness Warehouse and Woolworths.

3. Start mindful eating by following these tips: • Don’t hurry when eating. • Feel the taste of your food and enjoy the textures and aromas of each food type. • Play soft, relaxing music. • Eat your favourite food last.

• No multi-tasking, like watching TV or checking your phone. • Sit at the dining table. • Put your utensils down in between bites.

4. Visualise how you will resist the temptation of the second helping or piece of cake. Some theories say we only have capacity to resist temptation a certain number of times in a day. Visualise how you will resist the temptation. “Feel” the craving for more cake and live it out in your head, and then how you will refuse it and distract yourself with something else.

3 GOALS FOR 2023

Let’s start 2023 strong – start planning for a healthy lifestyle for the new year. Goal setting is the best place to start. But how? 1. Set your goals and be specific – setting goals gives you direction and the motivation to keep going. 2. Give yourself a timeline. 3. Remain consistent. Small lifestyle changes that you are consistent with, will give you results in the long run.

Enjoy the journey along the way! *

FOR MORE INFO Join my live daily online workouts from the comfort of your home, and look out for my Reset Challenge in January. Subscribe to my workouts and shop my active range here: www.christyann.fit