Trainers weigh in on how to stay healthy this ‘Fitmas’
Published:Wednesday | December 13, 2023 | 12:09 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
‘Tis the season to be jolly, and, for many, that looks like indulging in festive feasts, both savoury and sweet, and engaging in Yuletide revelry, going from one event to the next. It’s easy to get caught up in the merriment of it all, give in to temptations, and place yourself on the naughty list where your active journey is concerned. So, personal trainers Abigail Sinclair, Rohan Francis and Diane Brown have weighed in on a few ways you can survive the season and stay on a healthy path this ‘Fitmas’.
Abigail Sinclair, the instructor of Abz Dance Fitness, knows all too well about the struggles, and because of this, she prepares her fitness family for the occasion. “Leading into the Christmas season, at the end of November, we start with a group discussion with a certified nutritionist, who is also our health coach. We talk about struggles and solutions, lay it on the table ahead of time, [and] give ourselves grace, because people are still going to eat and drink. Our aim is to basically get everyone in the mental state that this is the holiday Olympics,” she told Lifestyle.
Rohan Francis, personal trainer and chief executive officer of Frano Fitness, agrees that it is important to step up during the holidays for your family’s fitness and be supportive during these tempting times. “I keep my clients on track at Christmas and New Year’s time by constantly reminding them that the festive season can make or break them going into the new year. So, it is very important to keep the intensity and be mindful of what they consume.”
As an online fitness coach, Diane Brown shares the same sentiment, noting that in order to maintain her clients’ progress, she focuses on the fundamentals. “The key is to consistently prioritise allocating time for workouts and meeting their nutritional targets, especially during the Christmas/New Year period. I’ve equipped them with the essential resources, and their job is to show up,” she said.
As a socialite, she is happy to hit the party scene, but ensures that she sticks to her routine of incorporating both training and cardio four days per week. “I usually opt for water instead of sugary cocktails while socialising at events; you’d be surprised how many empty calories are in a margarita.”
According to Sinclair, some rookie mistakes people make during Christmas time include underestimating the calories in the food.“Did you know one slice of Christmas fruit cake is 400 calories?” Sinclair pointed out.
Other factors contributing to weight gain include a lack of portion control, abandoning all forms of exercise, falling into the mental trap of beating yourself up because your goals aren’t achieved, and failing to surround yourself with like-minded individuals on a similar fitness mission.
“Totally abandoning their fitness goals and overindulging with food and alcohol due to the festivities of the season, will lead them to having unrealistic goals for the new year. So persons need to be mindful that their health comes first. Although, this time, they might be busy partaking in family events and parties, they can still take 45 minutes to an hour out of the day to do some physical activity. Make yourself a priority, and keep that positive mindset by aligning yourself with persons who support your goals,” Francis added.
Discipline, he says, starts with you. Write down small, realistic goals and stick to them. Be consistent with your workout and intake, and combat excuses by striking a healthy balance in your social life.
Brown chimed in, stating that slow and steady wins the race. “It’s not about being perfect, it’s about staying consistent. Food is not your enemy, eat the Christmas cake! Everything in moderation. Don’t pause your gym membership; keep showing up and your body will thank you! Your goals matter even during the holidays. Get an accountability partner or join a community with similar goals to help you stay on track. And last, be kind to yourself. Anticipate and plan for inevitable challenges. Keep in mind that the holiday season is a time for enjoyment and celebration. Striking a balance that aligns with your health goals while allowing for flexibility is key.”