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That’s 4-5 weeks of eating and drinking time which can easily lead to excess weight gain and a start to the New Year which is less than ideal.
During Christmas Day and Boxing Day everyone should be able to relax, rest up and not worry too much about eating and drinking more than normal. It's unlikely that a couple of days will set you back too much. However it is a good idea to get out and do some exercise each day, even a short walk in the fresh air will make you feel good.
For the festive period as a whole it is useful to have some strategies to work to so you start the New Year feeling healthy.
Most elite athletes will carry on doing some training over the festive period, albeit less than usual. That's a good tip for everyone to follow. It could be a walk, run, cycle, gym session, dancing, whatever makes you feel good and gets you moving off the sofa away from the box sets and chocolate boxes.
Alcohol is energy laden (Approx. 190kcal for a 250ml glass wine or pint of beer, 60kcal per single measure of spirits) and at parties it's very easy to lose track of how much you are drinking. As well as potentially leading to an unpleasant hangover the next day it can also tempt you to eat fatty/sugary foods you may otherwise avoid.
Wendy Martinson OBE RSEN is Lead Performance Nutritionist and Intensive Rehabilitation Nutritionist for the English Institute of Sport and Lead Nutritionist for the Great Britain Rowing Team.
Find out more about Wendy Martinson, or read more about Healthspan's Expert Panel.
Nothing beats a healthy, balanced diet to provide all the nutrients we need. But when this isn’t possible supplements can help. This article isn’t intended to replace
medical advice. Please consult your healthcare professional before trying supplements or herbal medicines.