RPTM

Finally! Here is your how-to guide to avoid the over-indulgence this Christmas, without feeling like you've missed out on the fun and festivities

With the party season baring down upon us, it is very easy to slip into the old habit of over-eating and over-drinking. Sticking to a regimented eating plan can be a hard feat when you have to attend the work Christmas party or the friend end of year drinks, but it needn’t undo all your hard work and results!

These tips will help you avoid over-indulging even when faced with Christmas cake and champagne but will still leave you feeling like you have not missed the holiday buzz.

1. Don’t starve yourself. Holiday times can easily but the time of over eating but they can also be the time when people under eat so they can fit into their new bikini. This is very bad for your body and for your sanity. By restricting the amount you eat though out the day you will slow your metabolic rates and when you do eat you will make rash decision because you are starving. The trick is to eat small meals or frequent snacks throughout the day. Try keeping a container of raw and unsalted nuts in your bag. 
2. Eat before you go to a function. If you are under duress to attend functions throughout the week a simple solution to pull your calorie consumption down is to eat a small protein bases meal before you go out. Protein has the advantage of burning slowly so it will help to take the edge off your hunger. So when that tray of salmon roulade wafts by it wont be your empty stomach making the decision.
3. Be healthy and creative with your cooking. So many people have the perception that to be healthy means food has to be boring. This could not be further from the truth. Simple using olive oil instead of butter will dramatically reduce your saturated fat consumption. Avocado on crackers instead of cream cheese in another good tip.
4. Be selective on what occasion you go to. It is nice to be invited to as many special functions as possible but when you have been eating more spring rolls than vegetable that is when you know you might be over doing it. Choose one special friends occasion and one work occasion to go to eat week.
5. Keep it in perspective.  Remember that holidays are meant to be a time of relaxing and chilling out. So if planning the Christmas lunch is proving to be a mammoth event ask everyone to bring a dish.