What to do if the Christmas excesses have taken their toll
Christmas is that one time of year that we can kick back, relax and take time out. And despite many of us having great intentions not to overeat, you’d have to employ steel-like willpower and determination not to succumb, even just a little bit, to the tasty festive fare on offer.
So, if January has arrived and you’re still feeling a little like a Christmas pudding then don’t despair! The Abbeycroft Leisure team is here to help you get back into shape – fast – and give those festive excesses the old heave-ho with our top tips and super helpful advice:
1. Set a realistic exercise schedule – and stick to it. Commit to three or four gym workouts or fitness classes a week and make sure that it becomes an essential part of your routine. Not only will you find it easier to stick to your workout programme, but you’ll see impressive results too.
2. Mix it all up. There’s nothing worse than a workout rut – and it can happen quicker than you think. So mix up your workouts. Why not have a cardio-focused gym session, then a weights, resistance and toning-focused workout. Follow on perhaps with a fast-paced class such as indoor cycling, and then maybe one such as body pump or ultimate core to target those problem areas.
3. Drink water – and plenty of it to keep you feeling full. We often mistake thirst for hunger, so when the munchies next start to attack try drinking a glass of water or a mug of herbal tea.
4. Eat a little and often. It may sound bonkers, but there’s a good amount of research behind this simple fact! It’s true that people who eat three meals, along with a mid-morning snack and a mid-afternoon snack, manage to keep the weight off for many more years than those who take part in yo-yo diets and fad diets, or who have irregular eating patterns. Lighter, more frequent meals help to stabilise your blood sugar levels (which prevents those sugary highs and lows that leave you reaching for the biscuits), and they also boost your energy levels, increase your metabolism, and improve your mood too.
However, please note that the key here is to eat healthy and nutritious food. So include plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as lean protein and ‘whole’ carbohydrates (brown rice, not white, brown pasta, not white, jacket potatoes with the skins on, and lots of pulses, such as lentils and beans).
5. Detox. Remember, alcohol is a huge source of both empty calories and fat. Some recent reports state that a large glass of red wine has as many, if not more, calories than a doughnut. Furthermore, you’ve no doubt seen and eaten enough crisps and chocolate for one year! So don’t undo all your good work in the gym. Instead, why not commit to detoxing throughout January – wave goodbye to the booze, the sugary and fatty treats, and say hello to healthy food, and plenty of water. Your body and waistline will thank you for it.
Already a member of Abbeycroft Leisure? Incorporating the impressive Haverhill Leisure Centre and Bury St. Edmonds Leisure Centre, Abbeycroft Leisure’s facilities are fantastic. A full timetable of fitness classes, excellent sports facilities, and a knowledgeable and supportive onsite team offering sensible advice on healthy eating, weight control, and exercise options means you’re guaranteed of achieving great workout results.
What’s more, we know how much you’ll be loving your fitness sessions at Abbeycroft Leisure. So why not
refer a friend or a family member and share the countless benefits of exercise with your fitness buddy! Not only will you receive £20 as a thank you, but your friend or family member will enjoy a £10 discount on their joining fee too. Simply
submit your friend’s details here.
Not a member yet of Abbeycroft Leisure? Now’s the time to try Abbeycroft Leisure for yourself with a
FREE one day passworth £10. Choose from either Haverhill Leisure Centre or Bury St. Edmonds Leisure Centre, and you too will enjoy state-of-the-art gyms, sensational swimming pools, unrivalled indoor and outdoor sports centres, fun and furious fitness classes, health suites, and a huge array of exciting exercise activities, clubs, and opportunities. For more information on Abbeycroft Leisure, please visit
www.abbeycroftleisuregyms.co.uk. 
