January is a fresh start, full of new resolutions and promises, but personal trainer Katie Gormley says now is the time to start sowing the seeds for a fruitful and slim New Year

The key to avoiding post-Christmas sloth and seam-bursting weight gain is to be aware of the December pitfalls. I don't expect you to stay at home eating mung beans and drinking herbal tea (it gets rather boring after a while), but keep some of my tips in mind and you can enjoy the festivities without the impending doom of hitting January half a stone heavier.

Just for the sake of it

'I might as well enjoy it now as I'll be dieting in January.' Sound familiar? I thought so.

Purposefully eating more than you actually desire just because you are preparing to deny yourself in the future is crazy but is a trap that many of us fall into. Thinking logically it makes absolutely no sense but many of us will help ourselves to another portion of cake for that very reason.

The same logic can be applied in the line of thinking that, 'well I've been bad anyway so I might as well be really bad'. There is nothing wrong with a mince pie during the festive season but ten, however, is a different story. Bear in mind that just because you've had one 'treat' this doesn't open the flood gates.

Temptation

December is different to all other months of the year. Empty surfaces are strewn with cakes, cheese, chocolate and more chocolate. At work, an innocent trip to the stationary cupboard is thwarted with obstacles such as mince pies, cakes and other such momentary pleasures. With such a number of distractions, is it any wonder that even the most restrained individuals waver?

Think twice. If it was any other time of year would you be eating this? Or try counting to ten before you instinctively go for the purple Quality Street.

You can also make it your own mission to provide healthier alternatives. If everybody at work is bringing in biscuits and chocolate, why not bring in dried fruit and nuts. The chances are people will appreciate having a healthier option.

Keeping active

Christmas shopping can be great cardio. Pounding the stairs of multiple department stores laden with bags is not entirely dissimilar to weighted lunges. Skipping your usual body-pump class in favour of drinks and nibbles doesn't quite balance out in the same way. If you are going to miss out on your normal exercise routine then find a substitute.

See my article on exercises to do in your lunch hour for some ideas.

Peer pressure

I believe there is a certain amount of peer pressure to join in and loosen your belt along with you comrades. 'Come on, have another slice/glass/sausage roll. What do you mean, no? It's Christmas!'. Think about it. How many times have you accepted just because of this gentle persuasion?

Just because something is offered to you it doesn't mean you have to take it. A polite 'no thank you' should suffice. However, if you are encountering the hardest of snack-pushers (there are some pretty ferocious ones out there, often found in the marketing department!) then a diversion can be your best course of action. 'Is that a reindeer in the corner?' might work or, for the less gullible, you can hit them with a counter offer: 'I'm just going to get a drink, would you like one?'

Food choices

There is a myriad of choice at Christmas so there is really no need to avoid altogether. It's sometimes difficult to know what is good and what's not. My golden rule of thumb is stick to the most basic forms of food, i.e. if there are nuts on offer go for the ones without flavouring or coatings.

Choose salsa over heavily processed creamy dips. A sausage on its own is going to do a lot less harm than one that's wrapped in pastry. Choose olives rather than crisps and fruit over a biscuit. I don't expect you to be perfect. Over the festive season there is more choice than ever so enjoy it. Choosing wisely doesn't mean denying yourself, it's about eating things that are good for your body. By consuming more positive foods you will be able to enjoy December and January.

Alcohol

Even with all the good-eating will in the world, if you are drinking alcohol this is likely to be the biggest pitfall of all. There are lighter options such as white wine spritzer, gin and slim line tonic or Champagne (hoorah!).

However, don't be lulled into a false sense of security by choosing these options. Drinking more does not mean you are having a better time, it just means you are likely to feel worse tomorrow.

I recommend you mix your drinks. Now before you get carried away, I do not mean this in the 2 for 1 cocktails way. I mean mix alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic ones. Sparkling water is my favoured drink of choice. Refreshing and light, with the added advantage of not necessarily looking like a soft drink, hence avoiding outcries from your fellow revellers as to why you're not having another g & t.

By alternating your alcoholic drinks with water or soft drinks not only will you save a great number of calories but you are also less likely to end the evening kissing the office temp, your boss or the toilet floor.