8 tips to stay fit this festive season

It is easy to be indulgent during this time of the year. Here are some secrets to help you enjoy the festivities and stay fit!

It's the indulgent time of year! Diwali to Christmas and New Year’s celebrations and parties and lots of glorious food! You can sense the upcoming kilo overload, but here are some secrets to help you enjoy the festivities and stay fit!

Start a workout programme now!

Exercising revs up the metabolic rate of the body burning more calories all through the day. Begin knocking off the excess fat now to give you a head start. Your workout should consist mainly of cardiovascular exercise (5-6 days a week, 30 minutes minimum) and some resistance training (2-3 days a week).

Start a healthy eating plan now!

Cut down your fats, sweets and packaged food intake. Have 5-6 small, freshly cooked meals in the day. Eat a light, protein rich dinner.

H2O

If you are going to be drinking alcohol at parties, drink enough water in between drinks. This will cut down the number of drinks you have and also keep you hydrated. Swap sweet drinks for water or plain soda. Add unsweetened flavours like lemon or green tea.

Workout, workout, workout!

Yes, even on days of a party and the day after. Working out the day you will be attending an event will burn off the calories and make you look fit and radiant. Exercising the day after helps the body to reset to the normal zone and works off the night’s indulgence. It also cures hangovers!

Festive foods -- eat before you go!

Eating a light, nutritious meal before you go will save you from gorging on everything you see. Your tummy is not starved and you will be more in control yourself laying off unhealthy foods.

Pick wisely

Whether it's the diwali sweets you have received or the lavish dinner party spread, choosing wisely will make a big difference to the final amount of fat you are actually eating. Pick foods that are lightly cooked like stir fried veggies, salads, lightly cooked meats and fish.

Share your gifted sweet boxes with others, keeping a piece or two for yourself. Why not pass them on to a charity?

If you have been presented with dry fruits, stock up and keep them handy for a nutritious snack.

Indulge!

What's life if you can't enjoy a few of the not-so-good treats? Enjoy your favourite sweet, or the fried goody. An occasional indulgence won't do any harm.

Over done it?

Overeaten, hung over? Of course there are days when you just can't stop yourself only to wake up feeling dreadfully guilty. Let's fix it!

Begin your day with a glass of water with lemon. Have a small bowl of cereal with skimmed milk. Get out in the fresh air and go for a light jog, 30 minutes.

Finish off with a few feel-good stretches. Shower and relax with a cup of tea or coffee (skip sugar).

Eat a freshly cooked lunch of simple food. Have an evening snack of a handful of nuts. Go for an evening stroll in the fresh air. Eat a light dinner, something comforting like a lentil soup with wholegrain toast. And sleep tight!

Photograph: Stephane Mahe/Reuters