The way that you manage the Christmas and new year holidays really depends on what part of the journey you are at.
Regardless of if your goal is weight loss or muscle gain, we have to think about the bigger picture when it comes to the holidays.
The fact of the matter is that major, long lasting body change takes a long time.
In fact the vast majority of the transformations that you see on Social media have taken 3 to 5 years to master! That’s right, social media isn’t always based on the complete truth!Most people will go through a few years of fluctuation before they master their new habits and achieve the goal for good.
Stage 1:
If you are in your first stage of a goal then your old habits are still very strong and it’s easy to get off track due to social pressures.
Relax, just focus on the portion sizes with food and alcohol. That way you don’t offend family traditions and you stay close to on track. Get to the gym at least twice a week and put in a solid effort for 30-45mins.
Stage 2
In stage two you have developed some good habits and its starting to pay off. For example you portion sizes are just second nature now and your social group are starting to be more accepting of the new you.
It is however really easy to slip back so the key here is to recognise when it happens. Go and enjoy the moment but don’t make it a three day bender.
Stage 3
You are now very close to your goal body shape but just have a little further to go.
Your habits are making exercise second nature and you have created a bit of an exercise addiction. Socially you don’t feel much pressure and now know how to manage it.
It is unlikely that you need to worry about anything like getting too far off track.
Most importantly you now know how to listen to your body and you now know what your body needs when it needs it.
Stage 4
You don’t need to read this article, in fact the whole time you have probably been trying to remember what it was like to live how you used to live in stages 1,2 and 3.
Our goals need to be backed by positive emotions not negative ones. Goals need faith and gratitude mixed with desire to be achieved.
Plus stress increases your cortisol levels which affects our blood sugar and increases appetite. Which leads to over eating, feeling depressed, more stressed and around we go.
Pay attention and listen to your body, it will tell you what you need and when you have gone too far.
Enjoy your holidays and remember that it’s about being present in the moment with family and friends.
Be safe and remember that success is a journey not a destination.