Christmas is over! Sorry to be the grinch, but it’s true. No more Mariah Carey carols, no more sparkly Christmas trees and lights, no more eating until you can’t move and sleeping in and watching movies all afternoon … All that we have left is the memories and extra grams of love on us from an indulgent celebratory week or two (cough Month cough). Now is NOT the time to go into a regretful state of binge detoxes and skinny teas. Trust me there is nothing worse for you body. Love yourself and move on with my Do’s and Don’t’s for the post Christmas period. Yes I ate whatever I wanted. Yes I drank alcohol. Yes I ate chocolate, fruit mince pies, burgers and general gluten, I mean I was in New York after all. Yes I REGRET NOTHING and yes I  HAVE HAD THE BEST TIME ever!! But like all good things, it has come to an end. The most important part about getting back from ‘holidays’, both mentally and physically is accepting the time off and then getting back into routine. But it’s not that simple. After having a month off, your fitness levels will most likely have decreased (don’t worry this is easy to get back) and your body isn’t used to your normal training routine anymore therefore you need to ease back into it. It has been 7 days since I have done any form of exercise other than walk around NYC and ice skate in central park.

DO’s and DONT’s FOR GETTING BACK INTO ROUTINE

DO:

• First of all, Do accept the fact that you had an amazing time relaxing and indulging with family and friends because you deserved it and banish any guilt associated with it.
• Do take it easy. Ease back into the gym and allow your body time to recover and rest
• Do drink lots of water. Aim for 2 Litres per day. Post on drinking water>> HERE
• Do stretch your muscles after a workout. This is just as important as the actual workout. Post on stretches >> HERE
• Do warm up and cool down each for 5 minutes
• Do make friends with salad. It’s the perfect time of the year for yummy salads for those of you in Australia (Londoners – it’s all stews, curries and comfort food for us). Post on festive salads>> HERE

DON’T:

• Don’t over commit or set unrealistic challenges/goals
• Don’t make silly resolutions and cut out food groups or ban certain foods. Telling yourself you will NOT eat chocolate will only make you crave it more. Everything in moderation!!!
• Don’t think you will lose weight by eating less. Just eat right. Post on the ten foods you should be eating daily >> HERE
• Don’t feel guilty for what you may or may not have don’t over the holidays. They are supposed to be enjoyed and indulgent. Post on indulgent eating and cheat meals 20% of the time >> HERE
• Don’t compare yourselves to others. What might be your beginning might be someone else’s end.

Don’t worry if before Christmas you could do 10 push ups on your toes and now you can barely pump out 2. Good things take time – trust the process!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

K