It’s easy to fall into the trap of holiday binging after a year of working on yourself and reaching your fitness goals, but the festive season is not an excuse for all that hard work to go to waste, or waist.
“I think the most important thing that people can do is to reduce sugar intake,” advised Ryan Patricio, a personal trainer in Bloemfontein, “because it’s very easy over the festive season to want to consume your festive season goodies, so if you can reduce your sugar intake, that’s already a step in the right direction.”
Patricio suggested burning those calories with exercise. “If you’re going to eat a slice of cake, work it off with a walk on the beach, and not a 200 meter walk, take a proper brisk walk,” he said, “do something to burn those calories.”
Further, Patricio warned that starch intake can also negate the fitness gains you’ve accumulated throughout the year. “Number two, people need to watch their starch intake, mainly bread,” he said.
“Throughout the year, what do people do? They train for December,” stated Patricio, warning of complacency at the end of the year, “then they go on holiday and they take a break and try to catch up in the New Year.”
He suggested that people need to remain motivated, despite the festive season. “Just remind yourself that you’ve worked so hard to get to this point, why are you going to let three weeks of holiday ruin your hard work and progress?” he said.
“No one is saying you must eat salad 24/7,” stated Patricio, “if you want to have a slice of cake, do something to burn those calories; that creates balance.”
Warren Hawkins
Warren@mahareng.co.za
