How to Survive the Silly Season
December is the month of celebrations and get togethers and no other time is more difficult than the silly season to try and stay away from alcohol and party food.
So how do you manage? It is hardly a fun time of year when you say no to any and all invitations in order to avoid temptation. It should be the time of year where we come together as family, friends and work colleagues to celebrate the end of another year and to welcome in new beginnings. Here are some tips you could use to help you stay on track and not blow your food budget in one afternoon!
- Drink water (it will fill you up)
- Consume wine or spirits with lime and soda from small glasses and alternate with water (in your small wine glass with a wedge of lime of course!)
- Eat slowly and BACK AWAY from the buffet table – go and talk to someone at the other end of the room / yard
- Exercise more to at least counteract some of the inevitable indulgences. Introduce a social game of backyard cricket or go for a walk after a meal.
- Plan fun, active social occasions
- Give gift experiences that are active – horse riding, bushwalks, kite surfing if you’re game
- Provide healthy options if you are the host (amazing way of making sure you get good food is to provide some of it yourself)
- Reduce the amount of sweet treats you consume (have one and call it quits but don’t beat yourself up about the one you do consume)
- Remember that tomorrow is a new day – no regrets!
- Eat before attending a social event where you can’t assist with organising or providing food and listen to your tummy tell you that it is somewhat full and doesn’t need much
- Eat from a small plate
- Always eat with cutlery (nibbles are the absolute worst as we can’t quantify how much are eating)
- Allow yourself a bit of leeway – 3 meals a week let yourself have some indulgences so if there is a particularly good party then enjoy it and return to plan tomorrow.
- Think of the festive season as being about love, sharing and celebrating rather than eating continuously – by all means, eat and enjoy but shift the focus a fraction!
Article by:
Melissa Ingram
Clinical Health Services Manager
Retreat physiotherapist
Personal Trainer
Wellness Coach
Golden Door Elysia Health Retreat and Spa