Happy Sunday purples!!

I know you missed me and I am sorry that I have been gone for so long!  Actually I am sure that everyone has been so busy that they haven’t even noticed and if you haven’t been super busy, I reckon that is all about to change very soon, so I have come back at the perfect time to help you when you most need it.  Why would you suddenly be getting super busy?  Because as so many people are taking great delight in reminding me, Christmas and New Year are just around the corner and you know what that means!  Yep!  An endless round of social occasions set to test even the strongest willpower!

I don’t know about you, but I put on weight very easily.  If I take my foot off the brake for too long, I can go backwards at the speed of light and before I know it, I am 5kg heavier.  Over the next 6 weeks, you will most likely have several social occasions including work Christmas parties, Christmas parties for whatever extracurricular activities you may participate in and of course then will come Christmas itself and finally New Year.  So how do we get through this period of festive frivolities without gaining a spare tyre around the waist?  Following are 5 things that you can do to try and limit the damage without having to lock yourself in your house away from all temptation until New Year has come and gone!

1. Plan, plan, plan!  I can’t stress enough how important this is.  Know when your functions are on and make a plan of attack.  If you want to let your hair down at the function, do so, but make sure that your nutrition and exercise are spot on in the lead up to and after the function.
2. If at all possible, make sure that you plan a workout for the day of the function (preferably in the morning), which will also help to limit the damage.
3. If you are faced with a buffet situation, have a good look at what is on offer first and then choose your favourite things. Enjoy your treats, but reduce your intake a little by not putting things on your plate just because they are there.  Choose what you really love and enjoy every mouthful!
4. Just make your splurge limited to the function only, not the whole day. As for Christmas Day, make sure that the off plan day starts and finishes on Christmas Day and doesn’t carry over to Boxing Day and beyond.  Send leftovers home with friends and family so that you don’t have them left in the fridge.  If we’re not careful, Christmas Day could turn into a week long free for all, and that is going to do a whole lot of bad, rather than a whole lot of good!!
5. This is not something that I would normally suggest, but once your functions start and until after New Year, it is not a bad idea to weigh yourself twice per week. I know that if I hop on the scales and see that I have put on a couple of kilos, it pulls me back into line quick smart!  It will give you the kick you need to stick to your plan and get back on track or a pat on the back and the incentive to keep sticking to your plan, if the figure you see is a good one.  Remember though, this is only for the next 6 weeks.  After that, go back to however you normally track your measurements.

Life is meant to be lived, so don’t feel guilty about letting your hair down from time to time and make sure you enjoy yourself.  As long as you make a plan of attack and stick to it, you can have your cake and eat it too…….just not every day!

Have a great week everyone!

Shari

xxooxxoo