Staying on track with our fitness and nutrition between now and February can feel like fighting a losing battle. So how do we win that battle and come out on top feeling fit and well and ready to take on the New Year?
There will be parties and lunches and drinks. Friends, family, work mates, eating, drinking and being merry. Wine and nibbles every evening, picnics with the kids and takeaways for everyone at the bach - and so it goes on, and with it comes between three and five kg of body fat!

Food
Stay organised and plan ahead.
When you can, take a plate of something light and healthy like veggie sticks with hummus or a yoghurt based dip.
Potato chips are 34% fat! Make your own pita crisps at 3% or buy the Turkish crisps at 7%. Microwave poppadums for 20 seconds (no oil) and they average 0.5% and make a great change.
Make dips by blending salmon or beans with lite cottage cheese.
Dilute higher fat dips with plain, low fat yoghurt. If you do a lot of chips and dip over the silly season this could save you a kilo or two!
Use huge platters of strawberries and fresh summer fruits with Greek yoghurt instead of cream.
Make the most of seasonal salad and veggies when you entertain or eat at home. Use the barbecue for chicken, fish and lean meat and combine with fresh veggies. Be adventurous and try barbecuing asparagus, courgettes, eggplant, mushrooms, onions and garlic with a light spray of oil.
Exercise portion control - a small taste of something yummy is better than trying to be ‘good’ but failing and then beating yourself up before demolishing two huge helpings!

Alcohol
Offset each glass of alcohol with one of water.
Drink spritzers- white wine topped up with soda water.
Use low calorie mixers with spirits –lemonade, tonic water and coke often contain more calories than the spirit.
Remember the calories in half a bottle of wine are equal to a steak and cheese pie!
Try for some alcohol free days each week.

Exercise
Just because you are on holiday doesn’t mean you have to sit on your bum all day.
Make a pact to exercise most days of the week. An early morning walk on the beach or in the park is good for the mind, body and soul.
Set some fitness goals for yourself and your family for the New Year.
Speaking of the soul - take some time out just for you. Breathe deeply, acknowledge the beauty of our country and live each day with vitality and passion.
Our New Year 12 week nutrition and exercise programme starts on February 7th.

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