Chrissy Day Tips

Christmas Day is almost here and I’m sure it rolls around faster each year.

I do love this time of year when we all catch up with family and friends and the pace tends to slow down for that Chrissy New Year’s week.

Everyone is more relaxed, visitors drop by, you may be on holidays, or enjoying our beautiful sunny days at the beach or by the pool.

I often get asked by people about what they should do or eat over the xmas period and to share some advice with them.

The no. 1 thing I tell people is to enjoy themselves!!! Christmas is really only 1 or 2 days. You’ve been working hard all year on your health and fitness and a couple of days is not going to undo your efforts. Relax a little and don’t feel guilty. Enjoy the atmosphere of having all your family and friends together and indulge in the amazing food that accompanies it. If you do put on a kilo or 2, it’s not the end of the world. You can straight back into your routine and it will be gone in no time. You have to ask yourself what’s really more important…the number on the scales or the time you spent catching up with the people you love? Enjoy the moment!!!

Living in our summer climate we can make good food choices easily. Your meal can consist of protein with salad &/or veg. You don’t have to eat the breads. You can have a beautiful meal of prawns, ham, turkey, chicken and an array of salads. Check out my facebook page for this past weeks’ worth of summer salad recipes for xmas day. Watch your portions, eat slowly and wait 15 mins before seconds to allow your food to settle and see if you really do need it.

Always start you day with a nutritious breakfast. Have an omelette with veg, eggs, a smoothie or oats with fruit and yoghurt. You can be sure you’ve started your day off right and will have loads of energy. Don’t go out when you’re hungry. You will tend to overindulge in the nibbles or party food if you’re starving. Try and have a protein snack before you leave or on the way there. You can opt for healthier snack options too like seafood, cheese, veg sticks, hummus, nuts, rice crackers.

I always offer to take food I like that I know is healthy. So why don’t you offer to take a good salad or nibbles you like. I did do a raw desert once at xmas (which was an avocado, cacao mousse like tart) and my family cracked up laughing and said c’mon it’s Christmas we’re eating the sugary deserts lol, so I don’t take desert anymore lol. Drink some water between your alcohol. If you do want a healthier option try a vodka with fresh lime and soda.

Keep moving over the Chrissy break. Why not after lunch play some backyard cricket or frisbee or a swim with the kids and get them outside and off the electronics. Keep up with your exercise or walking at least. If you’re away on holidays it’s easy to start your day with a walk. Not only will you feel good in yourself for exercising, but you’ll have more energy throughout your day to enjoy your holidays. It’s also a nice way to end your day out walking with your family and spending quality time together.

Christmas is a time of year for immense gratitude.

Be grateful for your loved ones you’re spending time with
Grateful for your healthy body that gets you through life every day
Grateful for the people who sadly you may have lost but for the memories and experiences you shared together
Grateful you’ve got food on the table
Grateful for this amazing part of the world we live in and
Grateful for you and the person that you are

It’s not a time to be counting your calories or beating yourself up over what you’ve eaten or had to drink.

It’s a wonderful time of the year, it’s only once a year and so celebrate it.

Enjoy the food, enjoy the company and enjoy yourself!!!

I want to wish you and your families a truly wonderful Christmas.

May you be blessed with an abundance of great health, wealth, love and happiness during the festive season and always.

Lisa x