1. Celebrate for a day not for a week
The biggest reason why people gain weight over the holidays is not because of one meal or the New Year’s alcohol consumption. It’s a fact that all common sense around food goes out the window for the holidays. If you are out of control around food for one or two weeks straight you can put on significant weight.
Rule number one is, keep your celebrations compact. Celebrate for one day the way you like it, But that’s it. Go back to your usual way of eating the next day. Start the New Year with a good breakfast – a breakfast that’s rich in protein and fibre will make it easier to avoid cravings and overeating for the rest of the day. Try an omelette with vegetables and porridge on the side. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. And freeze leftovers so you don’t feel pressured to eat everything quickly.
2. Don’t let alcohol ruin the fun
Whether it’s Christmas, New Year’s, or any other party, alcohol can always improve or ruin the occasion. It all depends on how you use it. Nobody likes to wake up with a massive hangover not §remembering what they did and finding out embarrassing stories later. Here are a few tips that will help you enjoy alcohol in a reasonable way.
● Eat before and during the party – This is a well-known rule for a good reason. It works. Start your celebrations well-fed and have something to eat between drinks too. It will make a huge difference.
● Alternate alcohol with water – Staying hydrated will improve how you feel the next day and it will also prevent you from getting drunk fast.
● Go with lighter drinks or cocktails – Drinks with lower alcohol content like lager beer will allow you to drink longer without getting too drunk. If you prefer something stronger, consider making mixed drinks.
● Surround yourself with the right people – All of these tips can be quickly forgotten if you go to a party with people that don’t share the same perspective. Celebrate with like-minded people or at least have a buddy that will do it this way with you.
3. Set exciting goals for next years
One thing that will help you stay on track during the holiday season or at least get you back on track quickly is having exciting goals. Think about your next season or the next year in general and try to set yourself some exciting goals. Maybe completing your first 100-mile bike race? Or scheduling your dream cycling holiday or a multi-day adventure? Anything that you can look forward to and that will challenge you.
Getting back into training and eating well in January is not the easiest thing for a cyclist. Consider getting an indoor setup. Having new equipment can be the extra little bit of motivation to help you stay active and in a training mindset. Check out our series on training at home if you want to get started.
