SURVIVING A HIGH FAT CHRISTMAS.... with a touch of Humor!

By Mandy Gibbons

Not sure how you are going to make it through the festive season without stuffing yourself silly?

Maybe over the past few months you decided to start getting into shape and are now dreading those extra Christmas and New Years calories?

or...

You may have been training hard all year and feel like the next couple of months are going to ruin all your hard hours of training and low fat eating.

Either way it'll keep you up at night wondering "what is the right thing to do by my program" and how will my "fight against gaining body fat" suffer while at the mercy of everything from family gatherings to office parties.

Believe me, the more you worry the worse off you'll be. If you're "umming and arrgghhing" as to what you should do then read through the following steps to help you survive the Christmas calorie blues.

1. DON'T DEPRIVE YOURSELF OF YOUR FAVOURITE FOODS!

Do you sit there at Christmas with a miserable face watching everyone eating cheesy, creamy snacks or other foods that are causing you to dribble on the floor?

Do you ruin your own Christmas, and everyone else's, cause you're grumpy, and taking your frustration out on everyone else because all you have on your plate is a steamed sweet potato and some veggies whilst the rest of your friends and family are eating the most bountiful banquet you have ever laid eyes on?

Does this sound like you? Then my advice to you is GET OVER IT!!

Christmas is only here once per year. So if you've been consuming a regular healthy low fat eating program for the past 12 months then don't stress because consuming some of your old favorites won't ruin a years worth of training. As you know most quality low fat eating programs will suggest you have one day off your eating program per week anyway..... so what's a couple of extra days once a year?

Just keep the following steps in mind during the festive season so you can enjoy this quality time with your friends and family. And, hey, even if you did gain a pound at least you know that everyone not's complaining about your grouchy attitude saying: "what the heck was up what's his/her name's butt at Christmas dinner".

2. "I AM TOO FULL TO MOVE" - STOMACH PAINS

Hey, I am the first to admit that I don't mind having a few extra spoonfuls per serve when it comes to a Christmas banquet. Nothing wrong with that. It's when you know you have had enough and you just keep on eating cause it's in front of you.

You are sitting there full to the brink swallowing hard to prevent yourself throwing up the beautiful meal you just consumed. You're exhausted, numb and can't even find the energy to talk because of the severe stomach pains from over eating. Now what's the point in that? The dishes build up in the kitchen because everyone's so lethargic that they can't bear to help with the cleaning up.

What was that? I can nearly hear you giggling to yourself! Of course this sounds familiar to most folk because that's what most people do.

So what am I getting at?

DON'T OVER EAT!

You can still have a fair amount to eat but just divide it up having more regular sized meals throughout the day rather than gorging yourself in one or two meals.

3. PLANNING FOR YOUR DOWNFALLS for the Christmas office party.

Other than there being copious amounts of alcohol with mixes and crazy cocktails that are jam packed full of calories.. the snacks that are often served at office or work Christmas bashes are more than likely not designed for the person who wants to lose body fat.

What's worse, is you absolutely know that no matter what - you are not going to be able to say "NO" to any foods that are dripping in fat or loaded with sugar. So what do you do?

Eat before you attend your Christmas office party. Have a meal, even a small quick meal, that contrains a decent amount of lean protein that will fill you up before you get there.

Not only will this assist with the alcohol factor but will also help prevent you from behaving like a starving, ravenous maniac trying to chew off the hand of the person serving you the cheesy, deep fried snacks.

4. COOKING A LOW FAT TASTY CHRISTMAS MEAL

As you know the shops are full of low fat products and ingredients, RIGHT?

Of course!

So what's stopping you from cooking using these products in your Festive Banquet? Nothing!

Use low fat cheeses, low fat milks, low fat creams, low fat butter, low fat cooking spray, fresh fruits and veggies the list goes on. Your meal doesn't have to be fat free - you're just reducing the fat content while not compromising on the flavor.

5. DEALING WITH THE WELL MEANING FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER WHO FORCE FEEDS YOU!

Do you have a friend or family member who makes you feel rude if you don't eat everything that's put on the table?

I know you know what I am talking about.
The good ol' "go on one more.. it won't hurt you"
"have another ladle full and put some meat on you, you are all skin and bones"
"I have been slaving in the kitchen for the past two days and I won't stop badgering you until you eat three more"

What ever you do DON'T SAY "I AM TRYING TO WATCH MY WEIGHT" - because you will be hassled for the rest of the meal, or the whole day for that matter.

Come up with some other excuse. Think of something before you go so don't you end up saying "get off my back" or offending them. If you're full - that's it - if you don't want to eat anymore - don't.

Believe me there's nothing worse than hearing someone moan their heads off for weeks after Christmas blaming the wicked relative who force fed them fatty foods which has led them to putting on 5 kilos! C'mon you could've said "no" if you wanted to.

6. YOUR EXERCISE PROGRAM OVER CHRISTMAS.

Honestly I don't know anybody who would come down on someone for not exercising on Christmas day.

If you do feel like you need to include some activity in your day to help burn off the extra calories AND you don't want to appear rude you could use the following tips and crazy excuse:

a. "How about I give you all some time out from the children and I will take them for a walk to the park"

WARNING: Believe me if you're game enough to look after a group of kids on Christmas day, hyped up on junk food and confectionery - then good luck to you. But I can virtually guarantee that you will lose calories and maybe your sanity too. :-)

b. If you have time, walk or perform a quick cardio session first thing in the morning. You probably won't feel like it later in the day so nip it in the bud first thing.

c. If you want to perform some resistance exercise keep it simple such as push-ups, squats and abs. Perform a set of each directly after each other. Repeat two - three times over like a mini circuit.

But just remember not to exercise directly after your meal. Let your food settle first.

MOST IMPORTANTLY!!

ENJOY YOURSELF!

This is one time of the year when you should be able to let your hair down and really enjoy the holiday season. Just do the best you can with your eating but don't come down on yourself if you eat a few extra treats.

Have a great Christmas and best wishes for the New Year!