8 Fitness Christmas Present Ideas

Now that Christmas is just around the corner you would hope to have all your presents bought, wrapped and placed under the tree.  However, every year it always seems that there are a few people who you just cannot find the right gift for.  So this year why not tackle the problem by introducing them to the world of fitness with one of the eight Christmas present ideas listed below.

1) FOOTBALL:- Christmas is traditionally a time where exercise takes a back seat.  So why not mix it up this year by getting someone a football?  Not only is it a perfect present for most boys but it can also be used to give the whole family some exercise over the festive period.  Simply drag everyone away from the TV for a few hours and suggest a Christmas kick around in your local park.

2) GRIPMASTER:- Whilst I have not yet personally tried the Gripmaster product I have read numerous positive reviews and it looks like a fantastic product.  Unlike most other grip strengthening products, the Gripmaster allows you to exercise each finger individually which means you can work on any weak fingers and bring them all up to equal strength.  Since it is portable and unique the Gripmaster is a great, fun way to gently initiate a friend or family member into the world of fitness.

3) GYM MEMBERSHIP:- Most gyms run offer trial memberships and a lot of them offer special festive deals on these.  So if you cannot think of any tangible Christmas gifts that would be suitable for a certain person this year, get them a gym membership.  If the person in question does not need too much motivation to start exercising then a standard gym membership should do.  However, if they need a little extra push you may want to get them a few introductory sessions with a personal trainer.

4) IPOD:- The iPod is not specifically a fitness product.  However, music is a great motivational tool to get people exercising.  It can make jogging more fun, help you power through a tough gym workout or give you the push you need to do some exercise when you really do not feel like it.  So if there is someone on your gift list who needs a little inspiration to get them exercising perhaps the iPod is a perfect present for them.  If they already have an iPod you could try “borrowing” it, purchasing some motivational tunes, loading them on to the iPod and then giving it back to them in time for Christmas.

5) NINTENDO WII:- If there is a gamer in your circle of family and friends who you want to make a little more active then the Nintendo Wii is the perfect present to combine your interests.  They will love it because they get a brand new games console and you will succeed in getting them more active because they will have to move around every time they play on the Wii.  If they already have a Wii then go one step further and get them Wii Fit – a videogame that is specifically focussed on improving your fitness.

6) POWERBALL:- The Powerball is another potential Christmas present that is both fun and promotes exercise.  The technique takes a while to get used to but once you master it the Powerball becomes very addictive and you will find yourself competing against friends and family members to get the highest score.

7) ROCKY BLU RAYS AND DVDS:- With the Christmas weather getting colder and colder it becomes increasingly difficult to find the motivation to exercise.  It can be very tempting to just sit on the couch in front of a warm fire and catch up on the festive films.  So why not give that special someone the motivation they need to exercise over Christmas by getting them one or more of the Rocky films?  After watching one of these films the recipient will be raring to go and start training like Mr Balboa himself.

TRAINERS:- Do you know anyone who you keep trying to get to train with you only for them to say they do not have the right equipment?  Well this year you can cut the excuses and get them a gift by giving them some trainers for Christmas.  Then next time you go ask them to come training it will be the perfect opportunity to test out their new present.

If you are looking for that last minute Christmas present then I hope this article has given you some ideas.  Whoever you are buying for the list above should contain a suitable gift.

3 Healthy Christmas Dinner Desserts

When it comes to festive desserts mince pies and Christmas pudding are almost always on the menu.  Whilst both are tasty, traditional treats they are also high in calories and refined sugar plus they often contain dangerous trans fats.  So this year why not try and add some healthy options to your Christmas dessert menu by using the three suggestions I have provided below?

1) FRUIT SALAD:- Fruit salad is a simple, healthy dessert choice.  All you need is a selection of your favourite fresh fruit and some fruit juice.  Once you have your ingredients chop the fruit, put it in a large bowl and pour in the juice.  To finish place the bowl in your fridge overnight so that the juices can soak into the fruit.  The health benefits of fruit salads depend upon the fruits you choose but almost all types are rich in fibre and a selection of vitamins.  Fibre promotes good bowel health and improved blood sugar control whilst vitamins help your body perform a number of vital functions.  Plus, since most fruits are rich in fibre and water they are a low calorie alternative to other desserts.

2) NATURAL FRUIT SMOOTHIES:- Fruit smoothies are a fantastic alternative to fruit salads that offer similar health benefits and give your dessert that unique twist.  To create your own fruit smoothies you need a blender, a selection of your favourite fruits, some fresh fruit juice and some milk.  To prepare you simply add all the ingredients to a blender, blend and pour.  If you are struggling for smoothie ideas then you should check out FlowerCarole.com which contains over 350 natural smoothie recipes.

3) NATURAL YOGURT WITH BLUEBERRIES:- Natural yoghurt contains high levels of the B vitamins, calcium, potassium and protein.  Natural yoghurt’s health benefits include supporting strong bones and strengthening your immune system.  Although natural yoghurt does contain some refined sugar it contains much lower levels than most other dessert options.

Mixing the natural yoghurt with blueberries adds some natural sweetness to the dish plus some fibre and vitamin C.  The health benefits of blueberries include improved brain health, promoting healthy vision, protection from certain cancers (including colon cancer and ovarian cancer) and protection from damaging free radicals.

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without Christmas cake, Christmas pudding and mince pies.  However, by offering the alternatives discussed above you can get the best of both worlds and provide your guests with a choice of healthy and traditional Christmas desserts.

Sources:
FlowerCarole.com
World Health Foods

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5 Christmas Party Survival Tips

Over the festive period parties are as much of a certainty as mince pies and Christmas trees.  Everyone likes to let their hair down and party after a long, hard year.  However, too much partying can have negative implications on your fitness goals.  It can leave you feeling tired and run down which consequently means that exercise and healthy eating take a back seat.  That is why today I am going to provide you with five Christmas party survival tips.

1) MODERATE YOUR ALCOHOL INTAKE:- This may be one of the biggest clichés in Christmas party articles.  However, my advice is slightly different to the normal advice on offer.  I understand that it is difficult to moderate your alcohol intake at every party you attend.  Furthermore, the occasional heavy night is not going to have long term implications on your fitness goals.  So instead of moderating your alcohol consumption on a party by party basis, why not instead try and moderate your alcohol consumption over the entire festive period?

You probably have a good idea of how many festive events you will be attending where alcohol is on offer.  Your office Christmas party, Christmas dinner, the traditional nights out you have with your friends over the festive period and New Years Eve are all days that you can earmark in advance as potential heavy drinking sessions.  Once you have identified all these days, map them out on a calendar.  Then try and split them 50/50 between days where you will be drinking and days where you will be avoiding or seriously moderating your alcohol intake.  For example, you may want to drink at your office Christmas party, on the traditional Christmas Eve night out with your friends and on New Years Eve.  If this is the case then avoid the alcohol on Christmas Day, volunteer as the designated driver when you go out for a few Boxing Day drinks and just have a couple at your neighbour’s Christmas party.  By moderating your alcohol intake in this way you can ensure that you do not have a constant Christmas hangover whilst still enjoying a selection of the festive parties.

2) HAVE A GOOD MEAL BEFORE YOU PARTY:- This is another popular cliché but also excellent advice.  Christmas parties are often loaded with high calorie treats and if you go to the party on an empty stomach then you are much more likely to get hungry and indulge.  By eating a good meal before you start partying you can ensure that you get some good, nutritious food in your body and minimise any snacking you do at the party.

3) EAT SELECTIVELY AT THE PARTY:- If you do decide to eat at the party then make sure you eat selectively.  Certain party snacks are a lot healthier than others.  Avoid the sausage rolls, pork pies and Chocolate cakes.  Instead go for the fresh, natural slices of meat, fruit portions and salad bowls.  Not only are these lower in calories but they also provide your body with high levels of fibre, protein and vitamins.

If you think it will be too difficult to avoid the unhealthy food at every party you attend then take the same approach that I have recommended with alcohol.  Map out the parties where you know food will be on offer in advance.  Then split them 50/50 between parties where you will be avoiding the processed foods and parties where you will let yourself indulge.

4) EXERCISE AFTER A HEAVY PARTY:- Exercise is probably the last thing you feel like doing if you have a particularly heavy party session.  Drinking lots of alcohol or eating lots of junk food does not leave you feeling very fresh the next day.  Whilst it is true you cannot compensate for a poor diet with exercise, a post party workout can partially offset the negative effects and at the very least help you burn off some of those excess calories.  So if you know it is going to be a big party, set your alarm to get yourself up nice and early the next day.  When it goes off, face the hangover head on and do some exercise.  If you are stuck for ideas hitting the gym, going for a jog or going for a bike ride are all good ways to combat a particularly heavy party.

5) MAKE SURE YOU CATCH UP ON YOUR SLEEP:- Just because it is party season does not mean everything else stops.  You still have to go to work (unless you are one of the lucky people who gets an extensive Christmas break) and keep up with all your other duties.  This means that something has to give.  Very often it is your sleep that starts to suffer over the festive period.  If you have a mid-week party to attend but still have to be at work first thing in the morning then a lack of sleep is unavoidable.  However, you can minimise the impact of these late nights by catching up on your sleep elsewhere.  If you have a Thursday night party but know that your Wednesday evening is going to be quiet, make the effort to get in bed extra early on the Wednesday night.  By catching up on your sleep in this way you will feel much less fatigued as the festive period goes on and be much more refreshed when the new year comes around.

Whilst it is extremely difficult to stay as focussed on your fitness over Christmas as you do during the rest of the year, you can maintain some momentum whilst also enjoying the traditional Christmas get togethers.  Hitting the gym everyday, avoiding all alcohol and not eating any Christmas treats is unrealistic.  However, the tips above should give you the balance you need to party whilst not completely derailing your fitness regime.

8 Healthy Christmas Dinner Ideas

Christmas dinner is normally filled with tasty treats.  Roast potatoes, stuffing and thick gravy are all regular fixtures in this festive meal.  Whilst these are delicious foods they are often rich in calories and low in nutrients.  That is why today I am providing you with eight healthy Christmas dinner ideas.

1) BEEF:- When it comes to the Christmas roast, turkey is by far the most popular choice.  However,  if you fancy something a little different this year I highly recommend a nice succulent joint of beef.  In recent years people have avoided red meats because of their relatively high saturated fat content but evidence suggests they may not be as bad as people think.  In fact saturated fats have a number of health benefits that other fats cannot provide.  They improve the health of your brain, liver and lungs, help your body absorb essential fatty acids, promote strong bones, support your immune system and can actually lower your heart disease risk.  Beef is also rich in B vitamins, iron, phosphorous, protein, selenium and zinc which can help protect against colon cancer and osteoporosis (reduced bone density).

Timing is everything when roasting beef.  When cooked to perfection a beef joint can be just as tender as turkey.  However, overcooked beef is chewy and difficult to eat.  Delia Online has a great guide to getting your roast just right so if you decide to go with beef this year you should check it out.

2) CARROT MASH:- Mashed carrots offer a lower calorie, more nutrient rich alternative to mashed potatoes.  They are rich in fibre, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K.  The main health benefit of carrots is that they support strong vision and strong night vision through their extremely high vitamin A content.  They also promote good colon and lung health plus they can help keep your blood glucose levels under control.

3) GREEN BEANS:- Green beens are a nutrient filled powerhouse.  They are rich in calcium, copper, fibre, iron, manganese, phosphorous, potassium vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B9, vitamin C and vitamin K.  Green beans are a great vegetable for Christmas dinner as they add some texture to the meal.  Their main health benefits include improved calcium absorption, reduced heart disease risk and a stronger immune system.

4) HOMEMADE GRAVY:- Gravy is a key fixture in most Christmas dinners.  However, most people go for the easy option and use gravy mixes which are often high in calories and salt.  Making your own gravy is relatively simple and gives you full control over the ingredients.  Whilst homemade gravy is not exactly a healthy food it is a much healthier, lower calorie alternative to packaged gravy mixes.

To make your own gravy you will need stock, pan drippings (from the meat you are cooking) and some flour or cornstarch (to add thickness).  You may also want to throw in some salt, pepper, herbs or spices to give your gravy that little extra kick.  To begin put the stock and pan drippings into a saucepan.  Then slowly heat the saucepan until the mix is simmering.  Next add the flour or cornstarch to the saucepan one spoon at a time and whisk the mixture until the desired thickness is achieved.  For more detailed gravy recipes check out this post from the Healthy Eats blog.

5) MUSHROOMS:- Mushrooms are not a typical Christmas vegetable but they are very nutritious and go well with most roasted meats.  They contain high levels of multiple B vitamins, fibre, potassium, selenium and zinc.  Mushrooms have multiple health benefits which include protecting your body’s cells from free radicals, supporting a strong immune system and reducing your risk of developing certain types of cancer (including breast cancer and colon cancer).

6) PEAS:- Peas are nutrient packed little pods.  They contain high levels of copper, fibre, iron, manganese, potassium, phosphorous, vitamin A, multiple B vitamins, vitamin C and vitamin K.  The health benefits of peas include keeping your bones strong, keeping your heart healthy, reducing your risk for a variety of cancers and supporting energy producing cells of your body.

7) ROASTED PARSNIPS:- Roasted parsnips are a nutrient packed, low calorie alternative to the festive favourite roast potatoes.  They are rich in copper, fibre (particularly soluble fibre), manganese, magnesium, multiple B vitamins, vitamin C and vitamin K.  The particularly high soluble fibre content in parsnips means that they can improve improve your absorption of vitamins and minerals, improve blood glucose control in your body and lower your risk of heart disease.

TURKEY:- As I mentioned above turkey is the traditional choice when it comes to the Christmas roast.  Not only is it traditional but nutritionally it is a very good choice too.  Turkey contains high levels of protein, phosphorous, selenium, tryptophan, vitamin B3 and vitamin B6.  Turkey offers multiple health benefits for your body with vitamin B3 and B6 supporting both heart health and energy production whilst selenium offers strong cancer protection.

As you can see, healthy eating does not have to go out of the window just because it’s Christmas day.  Try adding some of the above foods to your Christmas meal this year and you can enjoy food that is both tasty and nutritious.

Sources:
How To Roast Beef (Delia Online)
Make your own Gravy (Healthy Eats Blog)
World Health Foods

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4 Healthy Christmas Dinner Starters

When it comes to Christmas dinner healthy eating is usually the last thing on people’s mind.  However, with a little thought and preparation you can start the meal in a healthy way whilst still enjoying the foods you eat.  That is why today I am giving you a list of four healthy Christmas dinner starters.

1) HOMEMADE SOUP:- Soup is a popular starter to many meals and Christmas dinner is no exception.  However, the problem is most people go for canned soup which often contain high levels of sodium and are full of chemicals.  Fortunately, this problem can be solved by making your own soup.  Making your own soup is not as difficult as you might imagine and ensures that it contains only natural ingredients.  By using natural meats and vegetables you can create a healthy starter that is rich in fibre, protein and vitamins all of which help your body function properly.

To make your own soup you first need to create a stock.  Next you prepare the additional ingredients.  Then you combine the stock with the additional ingredients, simmer (usually for about 20 to 30 minutes) and your soup is ready.  Unfortunately, I do not have any homemade soup recipes on this blog but I have found an excellent resource for you.  Healthy Eating Made Easy explains how to prepare both chicken and vegetable stock and has 13 homemade soup recipes that use just natural ingredients.

2) MELON:- Melon is another popular choice when it comes to starters.  It is also one of the healthier choices being rich in vitamin A, the B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E and the antioxidant lycopene.  Together these ingredients help protect your body from damaging free radicals (harmful substances that are a by-product of reactions with oxygen).  Lycopene has also been shown to protect your body from a variety of cancers including breast cancer, colon cancer and lung cancer.

3) SALAD:- Salad is probably the most popular stereotype for a healthy meal.  However, there is a lot of truth in this stereotype.  Salads are rich in natural ingredients and are generally low in calories.  The health benefits of salads depends on the ingredients you use but most salads contain high levels of fibre, vitamins and minerals which all support optimal health.

Salads are even easier to make than homemade soups because there is little to no cooking involved.    In most cases you just throw some fresh ingredients together, make a simple olive oil dressing and the salad is ready to go.  If you fancy having salad as a starter this Christmas then you should check out Salad-Recipes.co.uk which has a fantastic selection of recipes to choose from.

4) SMOKED SALMON:- Smoked salmon is a great source of omega 3 essential fatty acids, magnesium, phosphorous, protein, selenium, vitamin B3, vitamin B12 and vitamin D.  Since it comes ready to eat smoked salmon is a very simple starter that can be served directly on a plate.  The main health benefits of salmon come from the omega 3 essential fatty acids which promote improved brain health, protect you from certain cancers (including ovarian cancer and prostate cancer), protect your from heart disease, reduce inflammation and support healthy vision.

Healthy eating and Christmas dinner can go hand in hand.  So why not start your meal the right way and give one of the above suggestions a try this year?

Sources:
Healthy Soup Recipes (Healthy Eating Made Easy)
Salad-Recipes.co.uk
World Health Foods

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