By the end of the year, more than a few weary party-goers vow to detox through January, but what if you could get through the party season and emerge feeling fit, fresh healthy and ready to take on the new year with a spring in your step?

1. Canapés are not your friend

Canapés are typically on offer at festive functions, along with various other party food delights. The problem is, they are all to moreish and they definitely don’t cut it as a healthy party food option. The best thing to do to save you from temptation is to get some wholesome, nutritious food into you before you head out. Not only will it help you avoid temptation, it will also make sure your body is properly fuelled and keep your energy levels elevated.

2. Don’t cut back on sleep

 It’s a fact; if you want to function properly you need to get enough shut eye. While you can generally cope with a late night every so often, subject yourself to a few in a row and your energy and mood will take a dive. Not only will this start to make the party season gruelling, fatigue can lead to dull skin, poor food choices, skipped workouts and a weakened immune system.

Tip: Try to reclaim the hours you lose by going to bed earlier for a few nights. Giving you enough time to catch-up before the next party arrives.

3. Exercise to energise

Its not unusual to see unfilled gyms over the party season. Having a jammed packed social life over the period can be a lot of fun, but the late nights and increased drinking can drain your energy. It’s not unusual for people to take this as an excuse to skip their training when, in reality, a good training session is a good way to get you re-energised and raise your mood.

Tip: Remember, alcohol is a diuretic so it’s vital to ensure you are well hydrated before and during and after exercise. Take it easy if you’ve had a big night, it may do you better to get some extra sleep.

4. Curb the cravings

I am guessing most of you have experienced the-morning-after-the-party cravings, where all you want is some high-calorie treat food. When you lack quality sleep, especially when your sleep duration is shortened, your appetite regulation hormones leptin and ghrelin go haywire. Being sleep deprived stimulates the release of the hunger hormone ghrelin, so the body thinks it’s hungry and it needs more calories. Try to get some extra hours in bed the morning after, and rather than going for toast and jam eat a protein based breakfast such as scrambled eggs and smoked salmon which take longer to digest to curb your appetite.

5. Support your liver

Your liver will be put through its paces this season, there are many foods that can help cleanse the liver naturally by stimulating its natural ability to clean toxic waste from the body.

Incorporate these liver cleanse foods into your diet.

  • Avocados
  • Asparagus
  • Beets
  • Cruciferous vegetables
  • Garlic
  • Green tea
  • Leafy Green vegetables
  • Lemons
  • Turmeric
  • Walnuts

And finally….

6. Look ahead

Most importantly, now is the time to be thankful for the year that you have had, and look forward to what’s in store for the next year. There is a whole new year of opportunities ahead. Use this time to contemplate what your goals will be in the coming year – in all areas of your life. Having a positive outlook and enthusiasm for what’s ahead will prepare you take on the new year with a spring in your step.

Good luck!
Country Fit Life
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