The Festive Balance

We're in the thick of it now with just over two weeks until Christmas, and the social calendar is absolutely rammed.

The mince pies are flowing, the cheese boards are getting bigger, and there's always someone suggesting "just one more glass" at every gathering.

It's brilliant, isn't it? This is what the season is all about.

And don’t worry I’m not about to come in with a big but…

But here's the thing I want you to think about: the more you lean into the "I'll start on Monday" mentality, the harder January 1st is going to hit you. And let's be honest, that Monday excuse often means writing off three or four perfectly good days just stuffing your face for no real reason other than the calendar hasn't flipped yet.

Look, I'm not here to be the fun police. I'll be the first one ordering a smokey Negroni when the moment's right and I'm already counting down the days.

But there's a massive difference between genuinely enjoying yourself and mindlessly overdoing it just because it's December. One leaves you with happy memories; the other leaves you with regret and a mountain to climb come the New Year.

So here are five simple habits to keep in your back pocket over the next few weeks. They won't stop you having fun, but they'll stop you from completely derailing yourself:

Get your 10,000 steps in. Even if it means a walk around the block after that big lunch, just keep moving.

Move after each meal. A ten-minute walk does wonders for your digestion and blood sugar. It doesn't need to be dramatic.

Stay hydrated. For every festive drink, have a glass of water. Your body (and your head) will thank you.

Start your day with protein. This sets you up properly and helps you make better choices later when temptation strikes.

Fast strategically. If you know you've got a big dinner tonight, don't pile on a massive breakfast and lunch too. Give your body some breathing room.

The bottom line? Enjoy yourself. Have the chocolates, drink the wine, say yes to the cheese board. But do it intentionally, not mindlessly.

That way, when January rolls around, you're facing a gentle incline, not Everest.

See you in a couple weeks just before Christmas!

Billy Hudspith

Your High Performance Wellbeing Creator