5 tips for staying fit over the Christmas period

Of course, we know that keeping fit during the Christmas period is not so easy with all the biscuits and Christmas parties! But with a few tricks, you'll definitely manage to get a workout and eat a little healthier alongside all the snacking.

Baking biscuits is the best thing to do in the run-up to Christmas! The whole house smells like Christmas baking** and, as we all know, homemade calories don't count. When preparing them, make sure to reduce the amount of sugar and include a few "healthy" biscuits among the different varieties. They are sure to taste at least as good and won't make you feel guilty.

A good trick is to replace wheat flour with wholemeal flour or use rolled oats. Wholemeal flour contains a lot of fibre and oat flakes are more filling. Instead of dipping the whole biscuit in chocolate, only cover half of it with chocolate and choose dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate**. That way you don't have to miss out on anything.

Even if it's dark and cold outside early - a walk between meals with your loved ones makes a nice change. Wrap up warm and off you go! With a bit of luck, a snowflake or two might fall from the sky. A winter walk in the snow sounds nice. Afterwards, you'll have room for dessert again and feel fitter straight away.

Winter really invites you to go ice skating, skiing or sledging**. Of course, not everyone is lucky enough to have a white Christmas. A round of ice skating with the whole family is certainly a nice distraction and is possible in your neighbourhood. Alternatively, there may be an indoor ski centre. These *sporty winter activities* not only burn calories, they are also really fun and add variety to your daily workout!

Especially during the time when you're rushing from one invitation to the next, buying presents and planning meals for the holidays, you often don't find time for yourself. Try to consciously make time for a sports session. Even a 20-minute workout makes a big difference. You will notice how your stress level drops and you feel fitter. This will help you get through the holidays more relaxed and enjoy this contemplative time.

If you are very motivated and want to balance out your increased calorie intake, simply extend your workout by a few minutes a day. This will make you enjoy all the sweets, home-baked biscuits and Christmas menus even more.

No matter what you choose: Exercise is good for your body. It doesn't really matter how long you exercise for - the main thing is that you don't miss out on exercise.

Many family meals and celebrations take place during the festive season. It's no secret that people eat more than usual. The solution to counteract this without giving up: Consciously savour every bite and sip of mulled wine. By savouring everything properly, you will automatically feel fuller faster. What's more, everything tastes much more intense and better. As a result, the delicious Christmas dinner is sure to stay in your memory for a long time.

Alcoholic drinks in particular have a lot of calories**. Go ahead and treat yourself to a mulled wine or two, but try a *fruit punch* as an alternative. It not only keeps you warm, but also prevents colds thanks to the many vitamins - especially important in the cold season.

Even if you are determined to stay fit, eat healthily and fulfil all your Christmas obligations: Accept that sport and healthy eating may fall a little short. With a little care and a short workout, you can counteract this. Besides, New Year's Eve is coming up soon and what are New Year's resolutions for after all?

Enjoy the time, even if the Christmas period clashes with your training plan. For example, simply make sure you maintain your weight or stay as fit as you currently are. Nobody expects you to increase your fitness workload or lose a kilo or two during the festive season. After the holidays - or after the New Year - start your routine workout with motivation and take a break from your commitments.