The festive season is in full swing, with office parties, family gatherings and the prospect of eating and drinking, if you are like the average Brit, over 6,000 calories on Christmas day alone. And while the quote above is not quite as doom laden as Falstaff in Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 1, it encapsulates what a lot of people are thinking around this holiday season, where we gorge ourselves in the promise that we will start being healthier in the New Year. But is there another way: one that allows us to have some fun, enjoy the celebrations and still be healthy?

If you are a regular reader of this newsletter you will already know what the answer is – a resounding YES!

“But how?” I hear you ask. “There are so many tempting treats and distractions from eating healthily. And you know… it is kind of expected… and I wouldn’t want to be a party pooper” 

I get it. I suffer from all of the above too. But there are a few solutions to the issue. So here are my top tips to still enjoy all that the festive period has to offer without being a party pooper or feel like you are depriving yourself. Are you ready? Good, then we shall begin:

Top Tip #1 – Eat slowly and stop at “satisfied” instead of “stuffed”. There are couple of big reasons for this:

• Physiological: It takes 15-20 mins for your digestive system to let your brain know that you’re satisfied. Slowing down at a meal allows that to happen before you overeat.

• Psychological: When you slow down, “Sense into” and savour your food, you feel content with much less. This means that you’ll eat less but enjoy what you’ve eaten more.

Indeed, when eating slowly (and stopping at ‘Satisfied’ instead of ‘Stuffed’) you can try ALL the delicious foods on Grandma’s buffet without guilt or the need to work it off later.

And if you do eat too much then you might be tempted to sleep it off; a traditional Christmas pastime of many households the length and breadth of the UK. Which leads into…

Top Tip #2 – That’s why it is important to stay as active as possible and move when you can. Go for a walk after Christmas dinner. Dance… and then dance some more. Or if you’d like something a little more structured I can provide you with a little bodyweight workout free of charge. Just ask 😉

With all the rushing around it can be easy to not think too much about what you are eating. Or if you have lots of family to go visit you could feel obligated to eat lots of different meals – “Go on have some more…” Which brings us on to…

Top Tip #3 – Aim for “Better” instead of “Perfect”. This time of year has us bouncing from supermarket to shopping centre to party to nativity play – not to mention planes, trains and automobiles if you are travelling. When you’re on the go, it can feel like navigating a nutritional minefield: Hunger signals overpowering, junk food everywhere, little time to sit down and eat healthily. So possibly prepare healthy snacks in advance, try to be mindful of what you are eating, and overall AIM FOR BETTER instead of PERFECT as this helps you avoid the “Oh F**k it” mentality.

And that mentality can lead to just one more mince pie… with a  little bit of custard…  and maybe a bit of brandy butter… You get the idea. But turkey and mince pies and pudding and cake are all a huge part of our traditions and the way we celebrate Chritsmas. I’m definitely not advocating changing that! However, if you follow the next tip it might help curb the appetite for the not so healthy, ultra palatable stuff.

Top Tip #4 – Try adding some extra vegetables to your plate. And I know that lots of people don’t like the taste of vegetables (especially Brussels sprouts!), so here’s a simple 3-step idea for prepping them in a way that’s delicious enough for a banquet table.

1. Choose your vegetable

2. Complement it with a spice, or something sour (lemon juice), or something salty (mustard)

3. Cushion it with something sweet (honey or sherry) or a fat (bacon or some nuts)

So while the average British person might gain 6lbs between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, you definitely don’t have to be adding to those statistics. Take a little time and be mindful of what you are eating, and still have fun and enjoy yourself.

And if you would like some more advice on being as healthy as possible, or you would like to start being more active or get stronger or fitter in 2025, please get in touch for a sensible chat. Remember that with the exclusive Power of One Fitness online training app, you can be anywhere in the world to get some awesome coaching to start to become the best you.