Ah, the festive season! Full of fun, food, and the odd party where you try not to embarrass yourself in front of your boss. With so much going on, it can feel tricky to find the right balance between enjoying yourself and staying on track with your health & fitness goals.

Just as an aside, my personal opinion is that December is not the best time for a fat loss goal. Don't get me wrong, of course, it's possible...

I just believe that with so much going on, setting fat loss as your main goal can leave you feeling frustrated. Instead, I recommend shifting your focus to habits and behaviours. If fat loss happens as a byproduct, that’s great! But even if it doesn’t, you’ll still be building a strong foundation for long-term success.

With that mindset in place, let’s get practical. Here are five tried-and-tested strategies to help you enjoy the holidays without completely derailing your progress.

1. Snack Pairing

Let’s say you’re craving chocolate, crisps, or cheese - the holiday classics! Instead of resisting the craving entirely (and risking a binge later), pair your indulgence with something that adds protein and fibre.

For example:

• Pair a couple of chocolates with Greek yoghurt and some fruit.

• Have your crisps alongside some veggies and hummus.

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This approach works because it lets you enjoy the foods you love while adding more balance to your snack. Protein and fibre help keep you feeling full, so you’re less likely to overdo it or keep going back for more.

2. Nail Your Breakfast

Starting your day with a nutritious breakfast is a great way to set the tone, especially during the festive chaos.

A solid breakfast:

• Prevents you from diving straight into Lindt balls and mimosa's 1st thing (not that I've ever done that)!

• Creates an early “win” that can encourage more healthy choices throughout the day.

For example:

• Scrambled eggs on whole-grain toast with some spinach on the side.

• Greek yoghurt with berries and oats.

I recommend sticking with the breakfasts that you typically eat for convenience.

3. Stick to Regular Mealtimes

Even on days like Christmas or Boxing Day, sticking to a routine can make a huge difference. Try to eat at times when you’re naturally hungry, rather than skipping meals to “save” calories for later.

Skipping meals often backfires! It can leave you starving and more likely to grab indulgent snacks without thinking. Yes, it may not always be possible, but where you can, stick to a 'normal' structure and routine. This helps you avoid those peaks and troughs in hunger that lead to overeating.

4. Use the Crowd-It-Out Method

This is a favourite strategy of mine for all social events - but at Xmas we get more chances to practice! The idea is to “crowd out” the more indulgent choices and social events with other choices that prioritise physical health prioritising healthy ones earlier in the day.

For example:

• Load up on protein, fruits, and veggies during your other meals.

• Stay active—take a walk or fit in a quick workout.

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By creating balance around the event, you can enjoy the festive foods guilt-free without letting them take over your entire day.

5. Accept That Overindulgence Happens

Here’s the truth: overindulgence is part of the holiday season, and that’s okay.

Instead of beating yourself up, practice self-compassion. One indulgent meal (or even day) won’t undo all your progress unless you let it spiral into a week or month of feeling off track.

Ask yourself:

• Why did I overindulge? Was it because I was genuinely enjoying myself?

• What would I do differently next time?

Sometimes the answer might be, “I wouldn’t change a thing!” And that’s okay too. The goal is to avoid the all-or-nothing mindset that leads to giving up entirely.

Final Thoughts

The holidays are meant to be enjoyed. By focusing on habits and balance rather than strict rules, you can have a season that’s both enjoyable AND mindful of your health & fitness goals.

To recap, here are your five tips:

1. Snack Pairing

2. Nail Your Breakfast

3. Stick to Regular Mealtimes

4. Use the Crowd-It-Out Method

5. Accept That Overindulgence Happens

This Christmas, let’s focus on balance - so you can roll into January with some momentum - ready to build on your progress!

If you found these tips helpful, I'd really appreciate if you could share this article with anyone who might need a helping hand.