A healthy Christmas: 10 tips how to enjoy the holidays without neglecting your health

Dec 12, 2024 | Interviews

Mónica Fernández, personal trainer and online dietitian

Mónica Fernández, personal trainer and online dietitian

Christmas means family gatherings, special dinners and unforgettable moments. However, it is also a time when we tend to neglect our healthy habits. Indulging in mince pies, Christmas puddings and copious teas, it is easy to put on a few extra kilos or feel guilty for not taking care of our diet or physical activity. But it doesn’t have to be that way. According to Monica Fernandez, personal trainer and online dietitian, we can fully enjoy the festive season without sacrificing our health. It’s all about enjoying a healthy Christmas. Thanks to her practical and down-to-earth approach, Monica shares some key tips for staying healthy over Christmas. She suggests a change of perspective: ‘The secret is not to force yourself to abstain from anything but to eat moderately and enjoy the meals consciously. The aim is to maintain healthy and sustainable habits in the long term ‘.

Operation mince pie: enjoy in moderation

For Monica, the focus on moderation is key. “It’s not about giving up everything, but about knowing what and how much to eat, and planning in advance for Christmas meals and the days before or after,” he explains. Here he gives us some practical tips to live a healthy Christmas, and he has more tips in an online workshop that he will send to all people who request it, for free: 1. Control portions: It is easy to overdo it when the plates are full, but remember that enjoying does not mean overeating. Serve small portions and after dinner, avoid having temptations at hand.
2. Plan meals: If you know you have a big lunch or dinner, opt for a light and balanced breakfast. Also, add more vegetables and lean protein to your diet in the days before and after to balance intake.
3. Choose healthy foods: Incorporate vegetables, fruits and foods rich in fiber into Christmas menus, or, if you are invited, opt for these elements from all the options. Not only do they provide essential nutrients, but they also help us feel full.

Healthy Christmas: enjoy slow eating

Mindful eating can make the difference between enjoying every bite and overindulging. Mónica recommends applying mindfulness techniques during holiday meals:
4. Eat slowly and savor every bite: This improves digestion and allows you to enjoy the different flavours.
5. Know when you’re full: Listen to your body’s signals and avoid eating just for the sake of it.
6. Enjoy the moment: Christmas is much more than food. Focus on the conversations and the good vibes, not just the meal.

Stay active and move to balance the festive season

Staying active ensures a healthy Christmas

Another essential tip is not to neglect movement. ‘Going for a walk at least three times a week, going out to play with the kids in the park or doing outdoor activities as a family are easy ways to stay active over Christmas,’ says Mónica. You don’t need an intense workout, just an easy and realistic routine. Suppose you’re looking for something more structured. In that case, Mónica suggests integrating specific activities into your daily routine: ‘Dedicate just 15 minutes a day to exercises tailored to your needs, either at home or outdoors. Most important: be consistent.’

Resume healthy habits after the holidays

Once Christmas is over, it is common to feel guilty for the excesses committed. However, Monica insists on the importance of not punishing herself or feeling anxious. “The body can recover perfectly if we gradually resume good habits ,” he explains. Their strategies include:
7. Add 3-5 pieces of fruit a day again.
8. Plan weekly menus to maintain a balanced diet.
9. Record what you eat to be more aware of your choices and correct small mistakes.
10. Reintroduce an exercise routine, even if it is with small walks or light workouts.

Por ti y para ti – for women who don’t have time

Mónica Fernández also designs exercises to reconcile with the family

Monica offers her exclusive programme, ‘Por ti y Para ti’ (Just for you), designed for women who ‘don’t have time to take care of themselves’ but want to regain their physique and health. This programme is designed for women at different stages of life, from mothers to women in menopause, and helps to achieve sustainable and realistic changes in their habits.
Through a personalised app, Mónica offers workouts adapted individually to every woman’s physique and available time, along with a nutrition service that includes balanced menus, shopping lists, and weekly follow-ups. She also has a personal chat to resolve doubts, collaborative workshops and motivational challenges. ‘It’s not about impossible workouts, but about easy-to-do and effective plans that you can maintain over time,’ says Monica.

A change of habits for the whole family

Looking ahead to 2025, Monica is preparing a programme focused on changing healthy habits for the whole family. This approach will help parents and children adopt more balanced routines as a family. Thanks to this approach, health care will become a shared and sustainable goal, creating a long-term positive impact on all family members.

A gift for yourself

This Christmas, at Dylsi, the exclusive agency of AXA, we would like to encourage you to take care of yourself and enjoy yourself without regrets. Remember that well-being is the best gift we can give ourselves. We hope that, with the support of your health insurance and the advice of experts like Mónica Fernández, you can face this festive season with peace of mind, knowing that your health and well-being are in good hands.

This article has been created in collaboration with Mónica Fernández, personal trainer and online nutritionist. Here’s how to contact her:

Web: MNK Training
Phone: (0034) 601 987 407
Email: Contact
RRSS: Instagram Linkedin
Languages:

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