Negotiating your way through the festive season can be treacherous. Check out the BitchBuzz Christmas Survival tips and give yourself the best chance enjoying the festive season without the guilt or piling on of the Christmas bulge.
The Christmas party season has started. Diaries are brimming full of get-togethers and it’s not only family and friends who are pulling you in all directions, you will no doubt be inundated with client and supplier party invites too. All of which, if you are on that corporate trajectory, have to be considered and no doubt attended for business future-proofing.
All these social occasions are all well and good, however, if you are not careful the constant partying can leave your health in tatters. It is not only about Christmas Day these days. The whole month of December can written off with the constant flow of alcohol, canapés and meals that are high in fats, carbohydrates and sugar can really pile on the pounds.
Alcohol is a massive killer in the calorie stakes. A bottle of wine contains 600 calories, and added to high fat, high carbohydrate foods this can really tip the balance. Plus there is the post-party/hangover carb fest that lies in wait for you to help you function in the morning. Gym memberships fall by the wayside and before you know it you need a holiday at a detox spa to get over the carnage.
Christmas does not need to be about excess. Of course its an excuse to meet up with people you haven’t seen for a long time, to celebrate your successes and to thank those that have helped you get there. But each event does not need to finish with a tighter waist band or tottering home in your heels wishing that you hand been able to pop your slippers into your clutch bag.
Surviving the Party Season
Pace yourself: How long does it take for you to drain you glass? Challenge yourself to one alcoholic drink per hour. Drink water in between drinks.
Be generous: when a client gives you a treat based present such as cakes or chocolates, share them with your workmates. Not only does this make you look great, it saves your waistline too.
Dance like no-ones watching: dancing is exercise so rather than being a wallflower or sitting down all night. Get your groove on and boogie your dinner away and get the bonus the an endorphin high too.
Eat lightly: If you know you are going out for dinner, prepare yourself by eating lightly during the day. Avoiding wheat based products e.g. pasta, bread etc that may cause bloating.
Have alcohol-free days: And this doesn’t mean a day when the hangover is kicking in. It is important to replenish the body with plenty of fluids. Water, herb teas rather than fizzy drinks and juices which contain high levels of sugar and/or artificial sweeteners.
Think protein: a key ingredient to any meal is protein. It does not have the same physiological affect as carbs do, fills you up quicker and keep you fuller for longer.
Non-carb hangover cures: the good ol bacon sarnie washed down with a can of coke, only pushes you into an anti-nutrient status. You want to replenish the stores nutrient stores you obliterated the previous night so think sushi, mushrooms or smoked salmon & scramble eggs on toast and loads of spinach. The good fats will sharpen your brain, the B vits and protein will provide energy.
Alcohol curfew: it is the first hour and a half that is the hardest if you are cutting down on alcohol. Start the evening with a glass of champagne and give yourself a cut-off time for when you move onto soft drinks. No-one except for you knows that the fizzy water you are holding isn’t vodka and tonic.
Portion sizes: for sit-down meals, control the amount you eat by either choosing a starter and a dessert or a main only.
Canapé rules: as canapés are finger food and rarely do you have a plate to hold them and the brain finds it hard to register the amount you have eaten. Give yourself a canapé limit. I like the idea of seven, three big, four small. And eat them slowly, relishing each bite rather than just one mouthful.
Finally, the Christmas party is an opportunity for self-promotion. Being the subject of the office party gossip is not a good look if you’re thinking about your career prospects. By staying sober and remaining lucid, you are more likely to impress the valuable people in the room with your fab new idea about a new creative campaign or saving the company lots of money.
Alison Duker is a nutritionist and lifestyle coach as well as BitchBuzz’s Wellness columnist. She can be followed on twitter as @alisonduker. Alison writes the fabulous health blog eatbetternow.wordpress.com with the objective of helping readers to eat well in a world of temptation.
Photo by psyberartist