Fit during Christmas season and in 2018

Every year at Christmas time, there are tasty mulled wine and hot punch at Christmas markets, feasts with friends and family, Christmas parties … they all invite you to feast. Accompanied by the fear of gathering unnecessary pounds that will stick on stomach, hip and buttock. But, this fear is unfounded. Most of the time, not the four or five weeks of feasting during Christmas time are the problem but the diet from January to November. Often, this period of time is characterized by irregular eating behavior, unhealthy junk food and various diets.

Each body is a system striving for optimal work. Here, a healthy, balanced diet, sufficient fluids, the right amount of exercise and of course rest and sleep are necessary. An excessive consumption of alcohol, caffeine and nicotine has to be avoided. Once these criteria are fulfilled, Christmas delicacies are no problem. But, when you’ve overstrained your body the previous eleven months Christmas often is “punished” with weight gain and signs of exhaustion.

Healthy start into the New Year

So, it’s a desirable goal to start healthy into the New Year. Renunciation induces stress in the body, so do regrets after eating. Here are some hints that support experiencing a healthy and wonderful Christmas time. The goal is to always listen to the own body and not only in December.

1. No restrictions
   Christmas time is the time of rest and contemplation. Counting calories, restrictions or diets care for tension and stress. It’s wiser to create a connection to the own body, to feel yourself and to direct the thoughts to the own health. If doing so you will experience a positive Christmas time. A mulled wine at the Christmas market, a piece of a chocolate Santa Claus or a dinner with friends can and should be enjoyed.
2. Tiny snack before heavy meal
   Arriving starved at the host means to eat too much and too unhealthy food. It might be helpful to eat a small and healthy snack before leaving and to taste of the often fatty and sweet dishes with clear conscience. Dishes that don’t skyrocket the blood glucose level are a perfect snack, i.e., vegetables, green smoothies or the excellent Konjac noodles. Konjac noodles practically are free from calories, fat-free and gluten-free. They are basic, contain no utilizable carbohydrates but a lot of fibers and sate very well. These noodles are a real “nutrition-wonder” and advisable for the whole year.
3. Sufficient exercise and do something for yourself
   Sitting in “dark” rooms for a long time often cares for tiredness and discomfort. Whereas exercise in fresh air is good for body and mind. Calories are burned, digestion stimulated and happy hormones released. Therefore, take time for a jogging tour or a walk. Exercise and paying attention to the own needs are inseparable. In general, avoiding stress is important; at any time and especially during Christmas time. A visit to a sauna or a thermal bath have a relaxing effect and support regeneration.
4. Diet with bitter substances
   Unfortunately, most diets do without bitter substances. Today’s variations of food and taste often are limited to sweet or salty. In many ways, bitter substances have a healthy effect. They stimulate circulation of digestive organs and so support a healthy digestion. They first take effect on contact with the tongue. The bitter taste stimulates liver, gall, pancreas and stomach; they immediately start secretion of important digestive juices and digestive enzymes. Insulin, bile and gastric juices are produced. In addition, the detoxification function of the liver is supported. And they are an excellent remedy for any kind of nausea. Spinach, salad, grapefruit, olives and eggplants are some examples of food rich in natural bitter substances. Many spices and herbs contain numerous bitter substances, i.e., dandelion, peppermint, chamomile, aloe vera, gentian, cinnamon, and ginger.
5. Sufficient sleep
   The individual sleep need differs. Here, too, it is important that everyone considers the personal needs and cares for sufficient phases of sleep and rest. Stimulants like alcohol, nicotine and caffeine have a negative influence on sleep. So best avoid excessive consumption. In addition, alcohol has a further negative side effect: a high calorie content and obstruction of fat-metabolism. Often, weight gain is the consequence.

If you want to spend the rest of 2017 and/or start 2018 healthy and fit you should listen to the own body sensation when it comes to nutrition, sleep/rest and exercise. A healthy diet, sufficient sleep and the right amount of exercise have a healing effect on body and mind. Isn’t Christmas time the perfect time for focusing on the personal needs?

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