Hands up if you love Christmas. Now keep your hands up if Christmas also stresses you out? Hello! We hear you. Although Christmas is a time to celebrate the love and embrace of our family and loved ones, it can also be a time when too much temptation kicks in and all our hard work disappears until the New Year.

But it doesn’t have to be that way! With some willpower and our top tips for surviving the Christmas calorie rush, you can emerge from the festivities in January feeling proud and eager to carry on the good work. Here’s how to keep on track:

• The buffet can be a minefield if you’re consciously trying to make healthy choices. So Golden Rule Number One is to never turn up at a buffet feeling hungry. Eat a balanced, filling, protein rich meal before you go and then at the buffet make considered choices such as salads and non-creamy dips and sandwiches containing lean, low fat fillings such as tuna or egg (mayo free if possible, but a little spread of mayo didn’t do anyone any harm). Eating beforehand will also help you soak up any alcohol you might consume too. Talking of which…
• Be mindful of the calorie content of alcohol. Alcoholic drinks, especially so sugary cocktails and beers are very calorific and it’s easy to lose count. Opt for prosecco and white wine which tend to be less calorie laden, or better still, mix white wine with soda water. Always alternate drinks between alcoholic and non-alcoholic such as a diet soda or fizzy water, too. Or try one of our low calorie mocktail ideas! 
• Avoid the temptation to skip the exercise. Over indulgence will always make us feel lethargic, putting exercise to the bottom of our schedule. But starting each day in a positive mindset by exercising, if only for a quick ten minutes, will help us to continue making healthy choices for the rest of the day. 
• Allow yourself a few over indulgent episodes – ‘tis the season to be jolly after all. Make peace with allowing yourself treats and all the roast potatoes by telling yourself how amazing you are for choosing your overindulgences wisely. Too many party invites that you can’t get out of (or don’t want to)? Pick the one with the best looking menu or buffet options to go wild at, and take it easy at the others! 
• If your social calendar is looking hectic and you know there’ll be lots of temptation, limit the treat foods you have at home. The kids might not like it, but instilling healthy attitudes in them from a young age and not making unhealthy choices at will can help put them in good stead for the future anyway. 
• Don’t aim for weight loss in December, aim for weight maintenance. Telling yourself that you’ll lose weight around Christmas might just set you up for disappointment and low self-esteem. Staying the same weight however, despite letting lose a little, will put you in the positive mindset you’ll need to get through January.

Have a happy one!