Christmas trimmings

How can I keep trim (hehe) over Christmas?

Food swaps are the best way. You can make small swaps that cut the fat and you'll probably hardly notice. Like rather than eating roast potatoes, cook new potatoes in olive oil and crushed almonds

I'm not sure I could cut out the roasties. Quite fancy trying the new potatoes in olive oil and crushed almonds though - never heard of anyone doing that before.

They sound great. If you have a starter you could have salmon with dill and lemon. Or have sorbets for dessert. 

You could still eat all of the traditioanl food, but you could make sure you do some exercise on each day. If you've got time off from work you could try some new classes, which would be fun

That's what I'm planning on doing - there are loads of classes on at my gym that I don't get chance to do, so will be trying them out over Christmas.

Will you be one of the hard-core gym bunnies in the gym on Christmas Eve or Boxing Day? Gotta burn off those mince pies!!

Surely no-one is that dedicated? I've heard of boxing day runs, but going to the gym on Christmas day is madness

That would be crazy. I'm not planning on going on the big days, just on a couple of days in between Christmas and New Year - and only to the classes - need to see which ones will be on though.

I find the Xmas period is usually an excellent time to get a few runs in, what with being off work and everyone else lolling around sleeping off their bloated stomachs!

I like to unwind at Christmas, the lead-up is crazy enough to tire you out for 2012

Me too, although it is a good time to try new classes and do some longer routes after the big day itself

For an experienced runner, running is one of the best ways to unwind...

Do you run to get away from all the Xmas mayhem then?

Our gym is closed over Christmas, but I will be doing yoga as usual and  hopefully doing a fair bit of walking. I don't tend to go food-berserk over Christmas dinner as I don't like most of the trimmings and I hate Christmas pudding, as a result I don't tend to end up feeling too shocking!! I usually have a later breakfast so it lasts until the weirdly timed Christmas dinner, then might have light food in the evening if I'm hungry... might few more chocolates and a glass of wine or 2 but nothing too bad :)

Sounds like a good balance to me, although, unlike you I love all of the trimmings like pigs in blankets and stuffing, as well as Christmas pudding! But I won't overdo it. I'll be walking the dog every day too :-)

I can't imagine I'll be doing too much exercise over the holidays, but will be going on lots of walks and running after all the kids (big family), so that should help a bit.

There are quite a few new little ones in my family and friends this year, so as they'll be the centre of attention food will come second!

Got a few walks planned - big 8-mile one on Christmas day, will work up my appetite for the dinner later in the evening.

8 miles - very impressive! I might go for a cheeky walk - can't imagine it'll be very long though.