How to survive the silly season without overindulging

From work Christmas parties to family get-togethers, it’s all too easy to let yourself slip over the silly season. And who can blame you? With so many delicious treats floating around temptation is always in the air. The good news is you don’t have to ring in January a few kilograms heavier. With these simply self-control tips you can master the art of enjoying the silly season, without overindulging.

Whip up healthy treats

From Lindt balls to Ferrero Rochers, the festive season seems to be laden with chocolate. It’s OK to indulge every now and then but devouring handfuls of chocolate every day is a recipe for serious overindulgence. Instead, why not sate your cravings with healthy alternatives? The internet is brimming with nutritious Christmas recipes from the likes of Deliciously Ella, Amy’s Healthy Baking and more.

Drink up

As well as staying hydrated, sipping on water will make you feel fuller. This means that when the plate of cookies is past around it’s much easier to say no. Water is also a great way to pace yourself between drinks. And let’s face it, there’s probably going to be a lot of Christmas bubbly on the horizon. If you remember to drink a glass of water in between each drink you’ll literally halve your alcohol intake.

Start your day healthy

Whether it’s mid-December or Christmas morning, make a commitment to starting your day healthy. One of the easiest ways to do this is by investing in a high-speed blender. This will give you the freedom to blitz nutritious smoothies that are filling and packed full of goodness. Overnight oats are also a great way to kickstart your morning. Basically, a healthy breakfast will set you up for the day and make you feel a hundred times better about indulging in a chocolate truffle after lunch or enjoying a glass of wine in the evening.

Load up on berries

Not only are they delicious but berries are also a powerful source of anthocyanins and antioxidants. Overindulging can release all kinds of free radicals into the body which can start to attack healthy cells. By boosting your diet with berries, you can help fight off the nasties and start the New Year feeling fresh.

Embrace herbal medicine

The silly season can spark an onset of digestive discomfort which means it’s important to have a few secret weapons under your belt. Right now we’re all about herbal digestive aids from companies like KiwiHerb. The all-natural herbal medicines are designed to relieve bloating, heartburn, inflammation and other issues.

Stay active

Morning workouts are another great way to keep your health on track during the festive season. Whether you simply stroll around the neighbourhood or swim laps at your local pool, half an hour of physical activity makes all the difference. It’s usually best to get your workout done early as it’s far too easy to write it off in the afternoon or evening.

Go easy on the “resolutions”

It’s all too easy to vow to cut out Christmas treats, but in reality you’ll probably cave once the bubbly starts flowing and the box of Celebrations gets passed around. One of our favourite tips is not to stress yourself out by making promises you can’t keep. Instead of going cold turkey on Christmas indulgences, try to commit to a little more self-control. This will give you the freedom to get into the Christmas spirit without constantly guilt tripping yourself. Ideally you should be able to find a balance that works for you.

With these strategies under your belt you’ll be able to go forth and enjoy the festive season, without feeling like a complete and utter whale!