Setting the Bar over Christmas

So its technically the start of the silly season. Christmas parties, catch ups with friends, and eating out are all happening at rates disproportionate to the rest of the year. And while socially these are wonderful, exercise routine and proper nutrition tend to fall by the wayside. 

And you know what, thats ok. 

Having a healthy and active social agenda is really important, and we certainly don't want to start saying "no" to things too often because we're paranoid about eating the wrong food, or not being able to go to the gym the following morning. But there is one thing to remember - if you are only doing 80% of the work, only expect 80% of the results. 

This year we have been working hard on 1) defining, and 2) implementing strategies to achieve goals. We have seen some  incredible transformations of our clients - in terms of weight, pain and adventure. And while there are more opportunities to "fall off the wagon" at this time of year, below are a few ways to help curb the "opulence" over Christmas:

- Be realistic with your expectations. Regular exercise and eating right should be their own reward - you feel better and are satisfied with the result. If you know that going to the gym three times each week is going to be a stretch, then set the bar lower. Go twice. And feel satisfied that you still did something towards achieving your goal. The reason for this is simple - guilt is a powerful anti-motivator. Feeling guilty (and having negative connotations to exercise and nutrition) is a very slippery slope, and one missed session can easily lead to 10. So avoid Christmas guilt by making a proactive decision to prioritise a social life over exercise. 

- Substitute. If going to the gym isn't going to happen, then go for a walk. If you're eating out, choose a lighter option. If you're drinking alcohol, then have plenty of water at the same time. 

- Be social. Turn off the bloody television and get outside. 

Christmas is a great time to recover from the stress of the year. But our advise is to be proactive in your recovery. Spend time by yourself (if you can), set realistic expectations for the next 4 weeks, and enjoy it. 

But...remember the 80% rule.