Tag: tuesdaytip

Tuesday Tip

Tuesday Tip: Alternative Resolutions

Dr Nancy P

Tuesday Tip: Alternative Resolutions 🎉

New Year, New start! it’s a cliche isn’t it?Having said that it IS a good opportunity to refocus and think about what you want to achieve over the next few months. I’ve posted this before but I think it’s worth a repost for 2025-26. Instead of the usual eat healthy/exercise more, here are my favourite resolutions that are doable and a bit more interesting:

#1 Switch your phone off

Put your phone away a bit more – whether for meals, after dinner, when out – whatever – you and your friends and family will enjoy more real face time than FaceTime.

#2 Read

Ditch the telly and read a book – an actual book – be it on paper or kindle. It could be a classic or something newer.

#3 Grow something to eat

Seeds cost pennies and you don’t need to be green fingered – get some vegetable or fruit seeds, pop them in a pot on your windowsill and grow something yummy.

#4 Cook a new recipe every week

Just one recipe, one meal a week – it doesn’t need to be complicated or lengthy – dust down your cook books, or get online for inspiration.

#5 Walk

Walk somewhere you would usually drive or take public transport to. Get off a stop early or park further away if you can’t replace the whole journey.

#6 Plant bulbs

Buy some bulbs (they’re cheap, and some newspapers give them away free at this time of year too!), dig them in (pot or garden), wait – and enjoy some spring/early summer colour!

#7 Say hello

A simple hello, a please, thank you, or even a smile at someone, in a shop, cafe, passing on the street – wherever – will brighten your day and theirs.

#8 Try something new every week

Anything new, doesn’t need to be big – a new food, a new activity, a new route to work, anything!

#9 Focus on others

Do something nice for someone every day/week – a simple compliment, helping a friend, or something bigger and potentially life changing like donating blood, sponsoring a child in need or volunteering.

#10 Celebrate you

Who says you need to change, anyway?! Perhaps you’re perfect the way you are: even with flaws. Maybe these are to be celebrated as unique aspects of you, so focus more on the things you like about yourself!

Happy New Year! Xx

Tuesday Tip

Tuesday Tip: Twixmas

Dr Nancy P

Tuesday Tip: Twixmas 🎄

In the days between Christmas and New Year it can be so easy to just slip in to a pattern of mindlessly eating too much and skipping those workouts. It’s the Christmas and boxing day extended hangover… And it’s nearly New Year where you’ll do it all again so why bother being healthy In-between right?… Wrong!

Well aside from the fact that it will make you feel better and less sluggish,it’s a whole 3 or 4 days where you can limit the amount of damage from the festive period! Plus it will make it so much easier to get back to normal eating again in the New Year. So get back on that wagon even if only for a day or two, eat well but mindfully, do your usual workouts or get some activity in somehow and regain a bit of normality if you can! Your body and mind will thank you!

If you still have a house full of food then freeze the leftovers (they’ll be fine!), hide the chocolate and booze and stock the fridge with lots of green stuff to help the process! All that chocolate and wine will still be there for New Year and beyond and you can indulge then if you want! 😀

Good luck and Happy Twixmas!😁 xx

Tuesday Tip

Tuesday tip: Merry Christmas!

Dr Nancy P

Tuesday tip: Merry Christmas! 🎄

It’s Christmas Eve Eve! So my only tip today – is to enjoy your Christmas! However you are spending the day – have a lie in, spend time with friends, family, (or animals) that you love, maybe take a gentle walk, enjoy yummy food, watch Christmas tv etc.

If you’re working then take some time out when you can to do something that you enjoy. Don’t stress about what you’ve eaten, or how little exercise you’ve done, just enjoy the tastes and yummy food, a day or two won’t kill you! Get back to your normal eating and training pattern afterwards and you’ll be back on track in no time.

Hope you have a lovely Christmas 🎅🏼🎄xx

Tuesday Tip

Tuesday Tip: Happy, Healthy Christmas

Dr Nancy P

Tuesday Tip: Happy, Healthy Christmas 🎄

The festive season often feels like a minefield for anyone trying to stay healthy. With indulgent meals, endless treats, and busy social schedules, it’s easy to feel like Christmas is something you need to “survive.” But the truth is: Christmas is a time to celebrate, not endure. You can embrace the season joyfully without guilt or obsessing over calories.

Here’s how to enjoy the festivities with balance:

#1 Plan, Don’t Panic

If you have a big event coming up, adjust your intake beforehand. Avoid starving yourself, but saving 100-200 calories a day for a few days before or after can help you buffer the impact. For example, if you plan to overeat 800-1000 calories at a party, reducing your intake slightly from Monday to Thursday can make a difference without feeling deprived.

#2 Sip Smartly

Alcohol can be a hidden contributor to weight gain, especially during long social gatherings. You don’t need low-calorie drinks if you don’t like them—just set a limit, like 4-5 drinks, and stick to it. Begin with a large glass of water, and alternate drinks with water to stay hydrated and avoid overindulgence.

#3 Stay Active, Your Way

We all indulge on Christmas Day, an average of 4000-5000 calories! But instead of stressing about “burning it off,” enjoy movement that feels good. A morning run, family walk, or evening stroll to enjoy the lights will boost your mood and help you feel refreshed.

#4 Let Go of the Guilt

Remember, Christmas isn’t something to “survive.” It’s a time to enjoy. A few indulgent days won’t ruin your progress if they’re not your normal routine. Once the holidays are over, just return to your regular habits, and you’ll be back on track in no time.

So, skip the “damage control” mindset and savor the holiday treats. Christmas is about celebrating, enjoying, and focusing on the moments that matter.

Happy Holidays! 🎄

Xx

Tuesday Tip

Tuesday Tip: Tips for Festive Socialising

Dr Nancy P

Tuesday Tip: Tips for Festive Socialising 🥂

This festive season there’s bound to be lots of socialising and If you’re trying to lose fat/weight it can be a challenge to keep things under control. Here are some tips to help reduce those extra cals.

#1 Be realistic

Saying “I’m not going to have any alcohol / desserts at all” isn’t realistic, but perhaps “I’m not going to drink at every Christmas party” might be more doable?

Decide which events are worth relaxing a bit for. One event a week is a good target, so choose the special events and then don’t worry about them, just relax and enjoy having whatever you want to have that day/night.

# Make a plan

If you’ve decided which events to relax at that means there are some events where you will want to be more careful. So you need a plan. First thing to remember is the reason you’re there is to share time with people in your life. Focus on the people and the activities rather than the food and drinks. Ensuring you’ve had something to eat before going to drinks events, or have dinner plans in place for afterwards. If it’s a dinner then just try to make the best possible choices, fill up with veggies and get some protein in, and drink lots of water. Stick to lighter beers, prosecco, white wines, clear spirits with low cal mixers etc and avoid sugar-laden cocktails.

# Plan for problems

Try to think about the possible obstacles in advance. Are buffets your weakness? Are canapes / nibbles your weak point? Have some alternative plans in place; for buffets commit yourself to one plate of satisfying food only. Make a decision before you go not to dip in to the nibbles and ensure you’re not too hungry when you arrive so you’re not starving when they come round. Making an active decision before you even get there will help you to resist them more easily.

You have to be realistic about the situations you’re facing. There’s no point planning on just eating carrot sticks all evening, you will fail, no question. So be smart about your strategy and honest about what you can manage. If you have a friend going with you share your plan with them, they might be keen to help you and give you some moral support – it’s a lot easier to say no to those canapes when you’re both refusing them.

Happy Tuesday 🤗

Xx