As the 2023 holiday season is now behind us, it might be time to address those unhealthy Christmas habits we are all guilty of taking into the New Year. After weeks of over-eating, over-drinking, and sitting back on the sofa many will now be looking to get back to a healthier lifestyle, but this isn’t always as easy as it sounds.
With that in mind, sports nutrition experts, from Bulk.com have identified the most dangerous parts of your holiday habits and offered some easy tips to implement in January – helping to break those unhealthy holiday habits.
The expert says: “It can be easy to get wrapped up in the festive cheer and celebrations, but for those looking to kick unhealthy habits now the festivities have ended, there are some simple and easy ways to get you feeling your best self again.
“There are plenty of benefits to taking a short break and treating yourself over the Christmas holiday, however many of us are guilty of continuing these habits after the holidays have ended. So, to help avoid falling into an unhealthy routine post-Christmas, we’ve identified three key habits, with long-term health risks, to watch out for.”
Three Unhealthy Habits:
Overindulging in rich foods
Over the holidays there’s a ready supply of chocolate and cheese on the go at all times. While small amounts of these foods are delicious, overeating for long periods of time poses health risks due to their high-calorie density.
What’s more, both cheese and chocolate are also high in saturated fats, which are known to contribute to high blood pressure and cholesterol levels – both of which are dangerous for your heart.
Moving less
During Christmas, many people spend their time sitting on the sofa, playing games and watching films, whilst indulging in delicious foods and enjoying a drink. Which is probably part of the reason that research from Loughborough University suggests people gain 0.4-0.9kg of weight over the season.
Relaxing and resting during the festivities is a great way to enjoy yourself and celebrate with family, however not moving enough in the long term is known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity, as well as many types of cancer, making this a key habit to kick in the New Year.
Overindulging in alcohol
A Christmas tipple goes down a treat, and it’s always 5 o’clock somewhere during the Christmas holidays. However, NHS guidance says that regularly drinking more than 14 units of alcohol per week can drastically impact your health in the long term.
Officially speaking, no amount of alcohol can be considered “safe”. Whilst there are the immediate, obvious effects of overconsumption, such as alcohol poisoning, long-term consumption is even more dangerous and can lead to many types of cancer, and increased risks of heart and liver disease.
So, since many will be looking to change their lifestyle habits and achieve their New Year’s resolutions to be healthier, an expert from Bulk.com has also revealed five tips for easing back into a healthier lifestyle.
Top five expert fitness and nutrition tips for easing back into healthy habits:
- Walk everywhere
Walking is arguably the simplest and cheapest exercise available to us all. It’s almost entirely free since all you need is a pair of trainers or shoes that you’re comfortable in. Swapping out short drives to the shops or your daily commute is a great way to sneak exercise into your day without really noticing.
Walking has many benefits to your health: it builds stamina, burns excess calories, and is great for a healthy heart. Experts say that a brisk walking pace is best for your fitness – making this a simple and effective way to feel healthier.
- Drink less alcohol
After Christmas, it can be difficult to reduce the amount of alcohol we consume, but it’s crucially important if you want to improve your health.
An effective strategy for cutting back on alcohol intake is substituting alcoholic drinks with alcohol-free alternatives. These are not only delicious but also contribute to better overall health, helping to reduce the negative side effects your body feels from alcohol consumption.
- Fill up on vegetables
Processed foods are dangerous, as it can become easy to consume hundreds of calories in small meals. Vegetables are generally much bulkier and less calorie-dense than other foods, they’re also full of essential fibre, vitamins, and minerals.
Filling up your plate with plenty of vegetables can be an easy way to control your calorie intake without feeling like you’re eating less. It can be hard to improve your diet without feeling hungry, but by bulking up your plate with veg you’ll still feel like your stomach is full.
Sweet potatoes, broccoli, carrots, and brussels sprouts are among the most filling and lowest-calorie vegetables, consider filling up your plate with these.
- Avoid secret sugars
Sucrose, fructose, and dextrose are all scientific names for different types of sugar, easily missed by the undiscerning consumer. You might also see high-fructose corn syrup, barley malt, and molasses hidden in the ingredients list, which are all just sugars in a different form.
What’s more, natural sugars are presented as being much less unhealthy, but they’re all still just as calorie-dense and potentially harmful. Watch out for products filled with fruit juices and honey which claim to be a healthy option but can have just as many calories in.
- Start slowly with exercise – everything in moderation!
The hardest part of exercising regularly is often not getting started but having the strength to maintain a regular routine. This is often due to aches and pains, which can be much worse after taking a Christmas break.
To avoid overworking yourself at the beginning heart rate-based workouts can be a great way to ensure that you’re only pushing yourself as hard as you’re ready for. Start your exercise plan with a frank and honest assessment of your fitness to avoid injuring yourself.
At-home exercise videos are an excellent way to get into fitness in a comfortable and convenient way. There are also many great apps and online services to help guide your fitness journey.
Finally, don’t forget to stretch! Stretching is essential to avoid injury and to reduce the amount of aching you’ll feel in the days after exercise, consider following a stretching tutorial online after every exercise session.
