Festive Season Tips

​It's pretty easy to get carried away with the festive cheer and wonderful abundance of food. The trouble is that we sometimes pop on a few kilograms over the festive season and may not manage dropping it off again very well. Then what happens is a slow and steady increase in body fat that feels all of a sudden like it's come from nowhere.
​Here are my top tips for managing the festive season so you and your waistline survive better than ever! Firstly, become more conscious of your eating rather than carrying on with unconscious eating habits. Then ... 

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• Take smaller portions than usual;
• Put smaller amounts into your mouth at a time and be mindful while eating;
• Chew each mouthful very well, putting down your cutlery between bites. This will help you register when you feel full, rather than getting the signal too late. Some excellent recent studies have shown that smaller mouthfuls and more chewing correlates directly with a reduced intake of kilojoules. When there is less to burn, there is less to potentially 'wear';
• Be sure to eat plenty of fresh vegetables and salads as these help to reduce acidity in your body - acidity increases inflammation and discomfort;
• Exercise each day for at least 45 minutes;
• Have a glass of water between alcoholic drinks and put your hand up to be skipper so you can't have more than a couple;
• Write down everything you eat and drink in a food diary (print this out to use if you like). There are many studies that show that people who keep a food diary are far more likely to succeed at reducing their weight or keeping a healthy weight than those who don't;
• Choose fruit for dessert rather than creamy rich concoctions, or at the very least, share dessert and don't have a whole one to yourself;
• When you meet with friends and family, try to make it an outdoor venue when possible and play games like cricket and volley ball to burn off the extra kilojoules. Or go for a walk with everyone after the meal; and, 
• Have a lot of laughs and loads of fun as both of these reduce acidity in your body