How to make it through the chaos with no added weight on the scales!

That's right, have your pudding and keep the zipper done up to that gorgeous new skirt or jeans you bought just for the holiday season!

How you might ask? Well it's all about being aware of what's behind you and what's in front of you: the past year and all your hard work and the New Year with all those new resolutions.

SURVIVAL TIPS FOR FESTIVE PARTIES:-

1/ The top tip is eat before you go! Make sure your last meal or snack is on time and high in protein and fibre. That will keep you feeling full and both your metabolism and mood high. After all, it's a party you want to be firing on all cylinders - it's the season to be jolly, not tired, hungry and grumpy! A good meal or snack should enable you to enjoy your time at the party without over indulging in food that's not good for you or your waistline!

2/ Mingle with confidence. People are less likely to pressure you to eat or drink if you seem at peace and comfortable with yourself and your surroundings.

3/ Alcohol could be your festive season downfall if you're not careful. Out of all your gatherings choose just one where you indulge in alcohol and have water at the others. Have your water in a wine glass (perhaps even with a slice of lemon) and hold onto it like you're proud of it! If you're having alcohol, have it in-between a glass of water. "Want another?" "No thanks, I'm pacing myself" or "I'm driving!" Remember you are the boss of you! You don't need to indulge in the second highest calorie dense product just because everyone else is.

4/ Offer to drive so you don't drink and save calories.

5/ If you're going to eat at the party choose wisely - proteins and vegetables first and watch your portions. Don't have seconds just because you can. Do what you should.

6/ Ask yourself do I really want it?

7/ Avoid extras such as gravies, creams, and sauces - they are high in sodium/sugar. Steer clear of excess salt - it means bloating and fluid retention.

8/ Go for vegetable sticks - these will give you great nutrition and help hydrate you while making your body burn calories whilst breaking them down.

9/ Distract yourself with dancing or meeting new people - don't get stuck on the sidelines at festive gatherings.

10/ Enjoy your parties don't regret them!

MAINTENANCE TIPS FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON:-

1/ Keep to (or start) regular exercise - even walking can have a healthy impact. At least you're not on the couch! Walking is worth the effort, especially in summer.

2/ Eat clean! Cut the junk before and after Christmas and the New Year and you will sail through this season! People will tell you "It's Christmas, you only live once," and "life is meant to be lived and enjoyed". My response to that is, "Yes life is meant to be lived and I enjoy it a lot better when I'm not overweight, when I have more energy and when I fit into my desired clothing!" It's because I eat and train to live that I can splurge on certain days of the year, but the rest of the days I eat cleanly and exercise and enjoy it and so does my body!

3/ Water - stay hydrated! It's the most important nutrient for our bodies and is involved in every cellular function. We need to make sure our bodies get water and the right amount every day!

4/ Boost your metabolism before and post-Christmas with some interval training and burn more calories. Work hard for a minute, rest for a minute. Work hard for two minutes rest for one. As you improve increase your work time speed load etc. and lessen your rest period. Have fun with it. You can do swimming intervals, running, cycling, weight circuits or walking.

5/ Stretch! That's right! Our bodies get so overworked during this period (and that goes for office workers, stay at home mums or athletes).We all need to take time to stretch out our backs, chest, shoulders, quads, hamstrings, necks, triceps and biceps. This lengthens our muscles which can get shortened and tense. It also increases circulation to all areas and this will help reduce stress. Plus it feels good! Use it as a little bit of "you time." Block out 20-30 minutes, put on some relaxing music and reward yourself and your body with this essential requirement. Alternatively, join a Pilates or yoga class.

6/ Eat breakfast every day. Again, be kind to your body - it's just fasted for 6-8 hours, so allow it every opportunity to work hard for you by kicking your metabolism off with your first meal of the day. Make it high in protein and include a complex carbohydrate.

7/ Eat 5-6 small meals/healthy snacks per day. Well-toned fit strong men and women eat! Make no mistake about it; if you starve yourself to lose weight or to maintain a number on the scales, you will do your body more harm than good. Keep your metabolism cranking (and fast burning) and your body happy by eating like a hunter gatherer small meals/snacks spread out throughout the day, consisting of natural fresh produce; i.e. nuts, seeds, eggs, fish, lean meats, fruits and vegetables.

8/ Make sure you get enough sleep. This is an essential requirement for your body and must be considered as part of your training regime. At this time of year we tend to go out more and that's ok, but be realistic our bodies don't function the best while we burn the candle at both ends. Manage sleep like every other aspect of your training. Most people need 6-8 hours of quality sleep every night. You know what your own body needs. You should feel rested and ready to tackle the day after a good night's sleep!

9/ Set yourself fitness and health goals, set them now. Why not even start them now?

10/ No gym or time to train? The gym of life is all around. So use it and have fun. Take the stairs, walk the dog, offer to walk your neighbours' dog (I used to do this), park at the far end of the shopping centre car park. Play with your children at the park, take them swimming, go bike riding together, learn to dance with your spouse or partner. Get out there, get active and have fun doing it.

11/ Make your Christmas list full of things that will help you reach your fitness goals. Home workout DVDs, personal training package, gym membership, gift vouchers for new gym clothes, experience vouchers (sky diving, scuba lessons) roller blades, wet suit, a fitness magazine subscription. Think about it; what would you really like to look and feel like in the New Year and what could help you get there? What have you put off doing that you would like to try?

12/ Keep a journal: log your food, your training, your goals, adventures you would like to embark on. This helps you stay focused and on track. Trust me maintaining is easy if you know what you're aiming for and what needs maintenance. Print these tips and stick them in your journal.

WARNINGS:-

1/. DANGER The festive season really starts mid-November, as staff parties and Christmas functions compete for reservations to the best locations for these social end of year celebrations.

2/. Don't allow yourself the DELUSION that 6 weeks of social functions, be they bbq's or restaurant affairs and the one-off food & drink fest we all enjoy on Christmas Day won't harm all your hard work of the past year.

3/. Don't dance with danger by giving yourself 6 weeks off for celebrations, (eating and drinking what you want and not training for two weeks). You may just spend the first half of THE NEW YEAR trying to regain the body you had 6 weeks before in Mid-November!

4/. It is not just the food and alcohol that you need to be wary of! It's the HOLIDAY MODE! Sleep-ins, no school routine, summer breaks and all those public holidays that seem to run one after the other. Before you know it, it's February! Spend too much time being inactive and you become inactive!

5/ Visualise how you want to look and feel after the festive season and enjoy the season through a healthy and fun active pair of eyes.