As an Online Fitness Coach and Women’s Personal Trainer, I am passionate about making health and fitness accessible for everyone, whether you are looking for post-natal exercises, post-natal workout plans, online fitness coaching or personal training. Therefore, over the lead-up to Christmas, I will be sharing some quick and easy recipes to be shared with loved ones over the festive season, along with more helpful hacks.

Many of you say you find it harder to stay on track over the winter months, especially as we are coming up to Christmas, so I thought I would share my top tips for staying on track (to a degree) over the festive period.

It can feel pretty overwhelming, what with all the festive parties, meals out and work Christmas parties. It is about balance and you have to enjoy yourself too! My philosophy is balance and healthy habits, however, it can be pretty useful to have the plan to keep your healthy lifestyle more or less on track, whilst still enjoying yourself.

1. Pick your battles and be realistic: For example, telling yourself that you are not going to eat any mince pies between now and Christmas Day is very unrealistic. Why not reshape this to not eating mince pies when in the office or at home whilst working? Sounds much more realistic, doesn’t it? I would recommend looking at your calendar between now and Christmas and marking the events that warrant a good ‘splurge’. From now until Christmas Day I would say two special occasions per month is a good thing to aim for.

2. Plan your attack: Now you know what events you are going to ‘splurge’ on you can now plan what events you are going to plan ahead for. For shorter events like after-work drinks/cocktails, I would recommend eating before and driving to the event, that way you can only have one alcoholic beverage. For longer events like work dinners out, it is important to not be too hard on yourself. Try where possible to pick something on the menu that consists of lean meats and veggies. Swap the chips for more veg!

3. Anticipate obstacles: Things will not always go to plan. For example, buffet-style parties may fill you with dread. It is important to not be too hard on yourself. Commit to just one plate of food. Again fill the plate with lean meats, salads/veggies and avoid the beige carb-loaded options. Unless your buffet is the occasion you want to ‘splurge’ on.

4. Be realistic: Remember it is Christmas after all. But for many, this starts on 1st November when the mince pies start to make an appearance in all the coffee shops and supermarkets. Don’t get me wrong I love Christmas. But it is important to think about our health. It is not healthy to gain 1-2 stone in the lead-up to Christmas. Eating food just ‘because of Christmas’. There is no enjoyment here. Remember it’s not going out of fashion and will still be there to be enjoyed over the Christmas holidays. Instead mindfully eat and eat for good health. Reshaping your mindset is key, and this starts with realistic expectations! This is where an online fitness coach is good, particularly over the holiday periods. If you ever wonder what an online fitness coach does, drop me a message or check out my blog I wrote about the difference between online fitness coach and personal training.