Improve your Health & Fitness in 2022

As we race to the end of what feels like a shortened year, we face a few uncertain weeks which would normally be filled with festivities and fun. There would also be a heaped tablespoon full of stress, served with a side of anxiety, this year it has doubled.
Normal does not feel like it used to, and we are faced with creating our new normal for the year ahead.  Strengthening our immunity, our resilience and our mindset will help us get through the challenges of the year ahead.
 
Placing the emphasis on improving health and fitness in 2022 will dramatically help this cause. Over the past 18 months many of you have discovered the glorious countryside that surrounds us and enjoyed not only the cardiovascular benefits they provide but the emotional and mental well-being they facilitate. Being fit and healthy is not something you can achieve and then tick off on your bucket list, it is a lifelong journey that changes direction as we age and has to adapt to the challenges that life throws in our path.
 
It is easy to write off the month and plan to do the January detox or diet, but what if you could have fun over Christmas without putting on half a stone?
Here are a few simple ideas for you to try that will help you keep the ‘Christmas’ weight off this December

​Maintain a routine
​Try as much as possible to keep some part of your normal routine going.  If you always get up and go to the gym, why can’t you continue that most days over Christmas? If you normally juice every morning, why can’t you keep doing that? 
​Try and start your day with a good breakfast which is full of protein, this will give your body a good start to the day, keep you fuller for longer and may help with cravings.

​Start the day in credit!
Make the most of the fact that you will not be racing off to the office or on the school run. Get into credit early in the day by going for a brisk walk; make time in the middle of the day for family winter walk, it will boost your Vitamin D level and help take some of the ‘festive ‘stress.

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Finish the day in credit!
It is easy to end up drinking every night throughout Christmas due to all the socialising and the bottles of Advocaat, Baileys Cream and Dubonnet that reappear on the sideboard at this time of year! Take one or two nights off a week and get an early night. This will stop your adrenal glands going into overdrive and producing lots of cortisol which, in turn makes you crave sugary and salty foods more.

Eat more vegetables
Have a lighter Christmas dinner by filling at least half your plate with vegetables before adding anything else. (Caution – does not include roast potatoes! 
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Green vegetables are excellent as they are low in calories and high in fibre, vitamins, and minerals. 
Prepare several vegetable side dishes and look for recipes to make them more interesting

Drink plenty of water
As well as your normal 1 1/2 litres of water every day, (yes you need to drink that much and no you won’t keep going to the toilet and if you do, think of all those extra steps!) try to have a glass of water between each alcoholic drink.

​It will slow down your drinking and help keep you hydrated.
 
Take a look at this link all about the benefits of water.