Today's article will be more or less a survival guide. Providing you with some realistic options to ensure that you don't end the holiday season with an extra layer. Or two--if you get my drift.

Now, it won't be super-technical, because that stuff is hard and you're probably ready to just chill out and relax.

Which is why these tips will be simplistic in nature, but still an effective way for you to stay in shape through the Xmas period.

Without further ado, let's jump straight into item #1

Exercise hard before the holidays arrive-Build more muscle, burn more fat!

As of writing this, there are still a few days before Christmas. Which means, there are some opportunities to get ahead of the break and squeeze in some additional training sessions.

Now, you might be thinking. It's Christmas. -- "yeah, that's what I want to do!"

It probably isn't!

But it is a form of prevention. Preventing excessive weight-gain.

2. plan, plan, plan

This is a quote that I resonated with at a young age. It became more instilled into me after I forgot my shin-pads for football training, when I was 12 years old. (Since then, I developed OCD--but that's another story!)

Planning is vital in terms of being a proactive human and keeping the ball in your court, so to speak. You now hold all the cards and know what life will be throwing at you--because you have prepared for this.

Doesn't THAT sound like a better position to be in?

Rather than. "Crap. I ate a pizza, drank 2 beers and ate an ice-cream! I'm gonna have to exercise for hours to burn all that off".

Which segways nicely into Tip #3

3. organise a menu

This doesn't mean you need to create a 5-course meal, type menu! (You can--but it's not essential)

You just need to create a framework for foods for Xmas. Such as;

Breakfast/brunch
Lunch
Dinner

Essentially, you're covering the meat and potatoes (pun intended). Things like the meat, veg, desserts and alcohol you'll be consuming.

Just a basic rundown. That's all.

Don't over-complicate it!

4. exercise (Boxing day session)

Just do some exercise. You can make it as simple or complex as you like.

A few simple and family-friendly activities you can do are;

Go for a run
Take the dogs for a walk
Take a bike ride
Backyard cricket
Friendly (or competitive) game of tennis

For me, each and every year--since I was 17 or 18 (I think)-- I do the annual 'Boxing Day Session'.

This initially started with a friend of mine and I--performing an absolutely horrible workout--on Boxing Day. This thing lasted hours!!

Every year I ensure that I do my hardest training day of the year. On Boxing Day!

Why do I do it?

Tradition
It pushes me outside my comfort zone
I like exercise
To combat the foods I eat and put the extra energy to good use.

I'm a bit weird like that, I know.

But, the point i'm trying to make is that it can be done. It doesn't have to be all doom and gloom.

Really all it takes is, some preparation, planning and a willingness to stay active while you are taking time off work. That sounds pretty doable, right?

There you have it! 4 simple and concise tips that you can use to help you overcome and prepare for the festive period.

When you incorporate these small tips, you will see that you don't actually hamper all of your results you've worked so hard for, over the last 3 months.

I want to wish you a Merry XMAS and hope that you spend time with family and friends, enjoy some lovely food and just get some time to chill out before 2017 rolls around!

Until next time.

Merry Christmas!

Jesse

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4 tips to survive the holiday season