Or just chilling out and recharging at home?
Either way, let’s think about some easy strategies to keep you feeling good, and then ease the transition back into January.
Keep moving, but drop the intensity right back
You don’t need to be getting to HIIT classes every day just because you’re potentially eating more or more indulgently than normal
(Especially if your goal is to get stronger - let your body rest, refuel and grow! This is how the gains happen!)
If your December has been like everyone else I’ve spoken to, your brain and body will thank you for a few chilled days of more sleep and restorative walks
2. Keep topping up your protein
“Yes, mum, I mean it, I don’t want more biscuits”
“No, no, I got them for you, you love these”.
You don’t need to shy away completely from the sweet treats - it’s good to enjoy them and it’s nice to be part of the family eating experience. Whilst you do that, keep an eye on your protein intake, as this could stop you from overdoing it. Instead, you can make sure your body feels well-fuelled and not super sluggish.
Travelling with hand luggage? Grab sample packs of protein to stash in your pockets and make life lighter and easier!
Staying somewhere that’s not your own house? Try and get yourself to the local supermarket to stock up on foods that make you feel good and comfortable with your food choices (don’t worry about anyone else).
My go to’s are typically: Skyr, chicken breasts and eggs - with that I’m pretty much covered for breakfast, lunch/dinner and a snack for if I want to eat at different times to other people. I’ll happily take the comments of why am I eating again?!
3. Add in some fresh veggies wherever possible
We’ve been down this road many times. Veggies make us feel good, help us take on nutrients and add in extra water. Plus having something fresh is always going to feel good after a couple of days of mushy leftover sprouts!
4. Stay hydrated
This is going to help you realise if you’re actually hungry for another plate or chocolate miniature. Or if really you’re dying of thirst!
5. Get your food order in early
That first week of January is rough, no matter what we do to prepare for it. You’ve spent a week of not knowing what day it is (whether you work through it or not) and now you’re thrown into the trauma of ‘New Year, New Me’, everyone’s on a new diet and nobody’s drinking beer at lunch anymore.
Damn, it’s disorientating!
One way we can plan ahead to make the transition as smooth as possible is by pre-ordering our groceries to arrive at our door. Rather than planning in your shop, as well as unpacking, tidying, cooking and getting the earliest night possible.
An easier, alternative option, would be organising one week of meal prep to arrive and save you even more work.
This may not be your long-term solution. But for that one terrible week, it could make everything feel a little bit more manageable and leave you to focus solely on getting your sleep pattern back under control.
6. Plan something nice for the end of that first week back
As I said, that first week back isn’t much fun. So why not think ahead and plan something nice with your bestie, or a day of completely chill on your own?
It doesn’t need to be fancy, expensive, or complicated.
It just has to put you first at the end of that big hill.
Give some of these steps a go to keep you feeling on top over Christmas and into the new year!
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