Socialising and relationships are one of the most important parts of a healthy mind and body. Sometimes when our health goals don’t align with our social calendar, it can be hard to balance the two. Socialising does sometimes bring with it excess alcohol, excess food and temptations, especially around Christmas time…oh the festive season blow out!
Staying social and maintaining your healthy self can be a challenge, but the answer is not to lock yourself away. We’ve shared some tips for staying healthy and social, especially during the festive season!
Set an alcohol quota
Set yourself a limit of alcoholic drinks per week or per event. This is a great way to continue being social during the festive season, without blowing your good nutrition and exercise. If you’re trying to avoid weight gain, then 1-2 standard drinks per event is a good goal. And then trying to avoid alcohol completely on other days.
Choosing the lowest sugar alcoholic beverages is also important, here are some of the most popular bevvies in order for you to compare:
Vodka soda: 68 calories
1 glass of red wine: 109 calories
Margarita cocktail: 110 calories
1 glass of sparkling wine: 119 calories
1 glass of white wine: 133 calories
1 full-strength beer: 135 calories
1 gin & tonic: 161 calories
1 rum & coke: 248 calories
While you’re at it, sip slowly, drink a glass of water or two between your drinks. And enjoy waking up fresh the next day, ready to hit up the next tip…
Move daily
If you’re socialising more than the norm, you need to if anything, ramp up your exercise regime. Ideally you should be moving in some way daily. Alternating more intense exercise like cardio, interval or strength/conditioning with something lighter like yoga or walking is ideal. Whatever you choose to do, just get moving and make it fun!
If you’re time poor, try some high intensity interval training like sprints or stair runs for just 15-20 minutes a day. Fantastic for fat loss and cardiovascular health!
Ditch the sweets
It’s hard enough to not over eat when you’re out at functions, and by finishing it off with the dessert platter will just tip you right over! Not to mention leave you with a sugar hangover the next day. Sugar is not only empty excess calories, it sends your blood sugar levels haywire, leaving you in a fatigued slump craving more sugar or carbohydrates the next day. So perhaps pass on the dessert.
Give your liver a daily cleanse
Especially during Christmas time, your liver will overloaded with alcohol and rich foods to process. To help kick start your liver and digestion, drink this little concoction every day before breakfast.
Liver Cleanser
1/4 fresh lemon, squeezed
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 cup hot water (half boiling, half cold water)
Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper
Drink this warm on an empty stomach before diving into a nutritious breakfast!
Sleep right
For optimal sleep and recovery, you strictly need to be asleep before 10pm. If you can achieve this for at least 5 nights of your week, you’ll feel better for it. Why 10pm? After this time, your body shifts into a new cycle, releasing adrenalin thinking it’s going to be awake for the night. This basically means that any sleep after 10pm is half as beneficial. You’ll wake up refreshed and energised, putting you in the right frame of mind to make healthy food and lifestyle choices during your day.
Hopefully these tips help you find some balance during your silly season, and allow you to be social without sacrificing your health and all of your hard work.
