Listen; we all overdid it on the mince pies and gingerbread lattes last month. What matters now is what we do about it.
Before you go handing over your debit card to the nearest gym or personal trainer in an effort to correct the seasonal damage however, take a breath, cast off the guilt and try some of our tips first.
There are plenty of fun, easy ways to shift any excess Christmas poundage while boosting your wellbeing and spending more time with the family as you get fitter.
Don’t believe us? Give these a go for a month and see the results for yourself.
1. Dig out the frisbee
A frisbee isn’t just a tonne of old school fun, it’s also a way to get in a run without even feeling it. Enlist the kids and find a big green space, then try and catch the frisbee as fast as possible after someone throws it.
2. Get a jump on
Jumping is one of the simplest ways to really spice up your workout. It’s also seriously intense, helping to burn lots of stored fat and boosting your metabolism while toning the muscles in your legs and bum in record time. You could also join the kids on the trampoline – just a few minutes a day is a brilliant workout.
Pro tip: Landing as gently as you can makes the return to ground a workout too (and it’s easier on the joints), so make sure to channel your inner ballerina on the rebound. Start off with 20 jumping squats and 20 jumping lunges per day and build up to 50 as you gain strength.
3. Make small swaps for big results
If you need to lose some weight to feel fitter, some easy swaps can make all the difference. For example, low-calorie cauliflower can replace starches. Pulse raw florets in a food processor to make a delicious cauliflower ‘rice’ to substitute for normal rice in a curry or chilli, steam it and blend to make a delicious mash to go with a roast, or just remove the leaves, shove it in the oven and bake it whole. It’s low in calories and high in fibre, vitamin C, folate and potassium.
4. Adopt a dog (or borrow a friend’s!)
Kids still begging you for that puppy? Well, this might be the year to take the leap. People who own dogs go for more walks (rain or shine!) and are generally fitter than non pet-owners. Interacting with a friendly dog also reduces cortisol levels, so it’s a win-win for your winter wellbeing. No room for a furry friend? Borrow the neighbour’s dog twice a week!
5. Try skipping
A skipping rope is one of the best cardio tools you can have in your fat-burning arsenal. Skipping burns calories, firms both upper and lower body muscles and improves bone density.
6. Make it a date
Instead of catching up on the weekly gossip on WhatsApp, arrange to meet your mates at a local park instead for a brisk wintery walk. This way you can chat away to your heart’s content while burning calories too. For extra points, add in ten lunges for every lap.
7. Hit the playground
Next time you take the kids to the local playground, don’t just sit on the bench as they run riot. Organise a game of tag to get everyone warmed up, then give the monkey bars a go (this is amazing for toning those bingo wings and shoulders) and do some sit ups as your little monkeys play on the slide. The kids will love you getting involved and you won’t need to schedule (or pay for) a gym session.
8. Hula Hoop
Hula-hooping is so effective at toning your waist and midsection that bridal shops recommend it to brides interested in wearing figure-hugging dresses up the aisle. There’s no art to it, just buy a hula hoop or borrow one from your kids. find a quiet room and get your hips moving!
Go to lidl.ie/healthy for more great healthy hacks, tips, tricks, recipes and much much more, and search for us on social media with #LidlHealthHacks.
