Christmas… it’s just for Christmas!
We’ve seen women sideline their health and well-being at this time of year while they try to get all the things done, meet everyone’s expectations and stay upright in the process. Well, it’s time for a moment of hard perspective!
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We're not ruining Christmas here and telling you that you can't have a mince pie - in fact, just the opposite. We want you to have a mince pie AND enjoy the chocolate out of your advent calendar. We do want to save you from the pang of regret, whether that comes the day after, or in January. We also want to PRESERVE your health and well being at a time when you need it most. One of us is a Grinch and one of us is Santas Elf so this conversation is a good balance.
You all know the feeling - it's probably creeping up on you already. How will you stay on track over the next few weeks? How will you have time to get everything done? There's so much to do, you've been invited to all sorts of places, there's things that must be done, there's things you'd like to do and there's things to do you've probably not even thought of yet!
Exercise, drinking 2 litres of water, eating nutritionally is all about to slide into the background chaos that is the run up to a celebration that should only last TWO DAYS! Two days folks. It's just two days.
You might already be thinking well it's not going to happen, something has got to give, I'll just have to make sacrifces and manage. NO!!!!!!!!
We know you really want to enjoy it, and you want everyone else to enjoy it too. We're here to point out some hazards and pitfalls we've seen and heard about over a combined 18 years working in women's fitness. These are extreme, but we know you will all recognise yourselves to some degree. And to summarise, here are the golden rules;
1. Make a list, get everything on it, as soon as you have a thought, get it on the list so you only have to think it once!
2. Use the list to eliminate some stuff - if it's not really, really serving you then only do it if you really have time. Certainly don't make sacrifices for it.
3. Use the list to ask for help, well in ADVANCE. If your people aren't used to helping, well, they might have made plans with a binge-worthy series on Netflix so don't leave it until you are already Crazy-Christmas Lady to ask
4. Is it on the list because it's someone else's favourite? If so, how about asking them. You'll soon find out how much of favourite it is!
5. Stick to the basics;
1. Get your workouts - they will refocus and energise you
2. Eat well throughout and DON'T save calories. It doesn't work like that. Listen to our "Calories aren't like Cash" episode here
3. Drink 2 litres of water every day for clear thinking, good digestion and energy levels
4. Self-care - meditation is the best thing for brain function so take just a few minutes each day to calm the chatter in your brain.
Lastly, DON'T weigh yourself until at least 1 week after your celebrations, whether that be the beginning of January or a week later if you love to celebrate New Year. Most of what you will be weighing is water retention and partially digested food sitting heavy. Give your body chance to process everything (see point 3 about drinking) and get your fibre intake back up. Weight gain doesn't happen that quickly but it will stick around in your head if you're getting on the scales every day. Get back to your routine first, then get on the scales but only if you really want to. Remember there are other measures of your progress!
Most of all we want you to enjoy it, the basics will help with that we promise!