How to get through Christmas without bursting your belt

We were chatting the other day and trying to come up with ways to help each other get through Christmas without falling spectacularly off the wagon. It was important that these things were practical and didn’t stop people from enjoying themselves. Here are some of the practical tips we came up with…

Alternate saying yes/no to treats. If someone offers you one, say yes, then next time, say no. Doing that will instantly halve the quantity you shovel away without you ending up a social pariah.
Prioritise which treats you are going to have. Say yes to the ones you know you are going to really like, say no to the shittier ones. Quality over quantity.
Link treats to a “good” food or activity. So have as many treats as you like, but before each one you have to eat a carrot or do five pressups or something like that.
Make sure you do “something” every day. Go for a walk, do the Rees Fitness Advent Challenge (click here for details, hint hint!) It doesn’t have to be loads, but keep the good habit ticking over.
Make sure you put aside time to do two dedicated workouts each week. It is up to you what/where/when/how, but make sure it gets done! If you really have no idea what to do, try doing as many advent challenges as you can fit into 30-60 minutes. Don’t go mad, just don’t spend the entire time being lazy and greedy.
Save treats for after your meals. If you are having a chocolate orange for breakfast, ask yourself where you have gone wrong in your life…
Keep all your “bad” foods out of sight in a different room. This doesn’t stop you from having them, but you have to at least get your arse out of your sofa to get them.
Work together with someone. You don’t have to go it alone. Everything is always easier and better when you have a wingman/woman.