YOUR ULTIMATE HOLIDAY HEALTH GUIDE

Staying healthy during the holidays is neither easy nor desirable. I mean, no one wants to go to a party and snack on carrots and water while everyone around you is eating pastries and drinking champagne. After all, this is the festive season and there is something particularly un-festive about a carrot, wouldn't you say?!

In the end, there is only one marvelous, yet terrifying word that can describe this time of year and that word is: INDULGENCE! Indulging in food, indulging in alcohol and indulging in 'relaxation'.

It is all so fantastic. However, when the party is over and the lights are turned on, you are left feeling tired, broke and a little softer around the edges than you remember.

So, not forgetting the spirit of the times, here are a few healthy, yet practical, tips on how to keep the festive body damage to a minimum.

NUMBER 1

Eat before the party.

This is a rather sneaky little trick, but very effective. If you are going to a party where you know there are going to be a lot of unhealthy temptations, eat a healthy meal before you leave home. This will fill you up and reduce the urge to overindulge. The best option is to have a full serving of your Ultima 1 shake, which will fill you up, give you all the right nutrients, but keep your calorie count low. 

NUMBER 2

Eat the healthy options first.

When faced with a fabulous variety of amazing finger foods or courses, try and eat all your healthy foods first. Hopefully, by the time you are done, you will be too full to consume all of the unhealthy, fattening options.

NUMBER 3

Drink water.

Drink a lot of water before, during and between your meals. This will also give you the sensation of being full so your won't overeat. Drinking a lot of water after a big eating-and-drinking night will also help rid your body of toxins and rehydrate you.

NUMBER 4

Get enough fibre and protein.

Make sure to eat a good portion of fibre and healthy protein the day after an overindulgence. This will help your body 'recover'. Having an Ultima 1 shake as you get into bed will also help your body recover while you sleep.

NUMBER 5

Stop eating when you are full.

This is a very simple piece of advice, but one that is very often ignored. No one likes to waste food, so instead of forcing it down, rather pack it up and either save it for the next day or give it to someone on your drive home.

NUMBER 6

Don't eat after 7pm.

Yes, I know this is virtually impossible to do, especially at this time of year, but try and do it whenever you can.

NUMBER 7

Don't skip meals.

Starving yourself in preparation for a big feast later in the day may sound like a good idea, but it is actually counterproductive. Rather have something light, like an Ultima 1 shake, than give your body nothing. This will only send it into 'storage' mode. Furthermore, make sure you eat breakfast every morning. If you don't want to eat a lot, then this is also a good time to have an Ultima 1 shake. It will give your body all the nutrients it needs to cope with your day, but without the calories.

NUMBER 8

Stick to your supplement routine.

You may need to put up reminders, but try and stick to your supplement and vitamin routine as much as possible. Your body probably needs them now more than ever.

NUMBER 9

Get moving.

Exercise may be hard to get in when you are on holiday, but even fitting in a 30 minute walk is hugely beneficial. Other options are to do some squats, lunges, sit ups and push ups first thing in the morning. Perhaps you could try a bit of yoga before you get going in the day. If time is really an issue, then try some other handy tricks, like parking your car far away from the entrance to the mall, using the stairs instead of the escalator or lift, and carrying your groceries instead of using a trolley. You could also try and incorporate some heart-racing activities into your family's daily plans, such as playing cricket together or all learning how to surf. Perhaps take Ultima Energy or Ultima BurnXpress to help give you an extra boost, which will ultimately increase your activity levels. Taking your Ultima Adaptogens each morning will also help you maintain sufficient energy levels throughout the day. 

NUMBER 10

Get enough sleep.

Lack of sleep has been shown to contribute to excess belly fat, which is dangerous to your health. So, make sure you are getting enough sleep - now isn't that a nice piece of advice!

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY AND HEALTHY FESTIVE SEASON! SEE YOU IN 2011!