2. Drink lots of water

What would party season be without a festive tipple or two? Dont deny yourself that glass of bubbly - or the deluxe hot chocolate with lashings of cream - but do remember to regularly drink water.

Drinking plenty of water not only suppresses appetite; it also boosts your metabolism, helping you to digest the festive treats faster and more efficiently, Virtue said.

3. Optimise your workout

If youre particularly short on time over the Christmas season, plan a more intensive workout to get the most of your workout window, suggested Virtue.

Try VIIT (variable intensity interval training) to target all the muscles in your body, as well as the various energy systems; this will improve strength and endurance, while burning more calories.

Whatever your preferred exercise is, there are ways to increase your gains in a shorter workout time.

For example, when practicing yoga, intersperse your poses with quick blasts of cardio, or practice poses whilst holding weights for extra burn. If you prefer strength-training, try increasing your weights - this will induce muscle fatigue faster, shortening your workout time, said Virtue.

See original here:
Fitness: Five expert tips for staying in shape over the festive season - Express