Some health and fitness tips to help you through the holidays

December is the time of relaxing, big meals, big parties and long naps. Unfortunately for South Africans, it’s also in the middle of the warm season when we are all trying to show off our summer bodies. So how do we do both?

Sinako Dunywa, a Paulshof resident, former personal trainer, former rugby player, rower and all-round fitness enthusiast, has some tips for residents on how they can keep healthy and fit while not hating the festive season. He suggests that you try and become balanced in the face of all the festive fun.

“The festive season is a time to let go, but that doesn’t mean you have to let yourself go,” he told the Fourways Review.

“People often don’t realise that you still need to maintain your physique.”

Dunywa explains that while you do not need to go fitness crazy at this time of year, it is important to take steps to work on your health and fitness on a regular basis.

Here are some of his tips:

• Start small

“This time of year is a great chance to get into new habits,” Dunywa said.

“Instead of waiting until January to start a new fitness routine, why not start now? It takes 21 days to form a new habit, so if you start rising an hour earlier now, it will be that much easier when the new year comes around.”

• Exercise doesn’t have to cost a fortune

“It doesn’t cost much to be healthy,” he said.

“There are plenty of exercises that you can do outside the gym – including walking, a slow jog, things like sit-ups or push-ups… you can run on the beach if you’re at the coast.”

• Keeping active can be fun for the whole family

“The holiday season is all about enjoying time with family and friends, and that’s really important. Find activities which you can do with loved ones – I was in Mpumalanga recently and saw families at a water park, and thought to myself that that’s a simple activity, and fun, but it’s still working out.

“The same could be said of hitting the dance floor!”

• Enjoy the food – in moderation

“I have a crazy sweet-tooth!” he said.

“Diet does matter, but you shouldn’t starve yourself, but simply try and compensate for the good food you’re eating. If you eat a whole cake, ok, but then know that the next time you exercise you’ll need to take that into account.”

• Find someone to hold you accountable

“A great way to stay on track [with a health and fitness routine] is to have someone who holds you accountable to what you say you want to do.

“Get a friend, a family member, a spouse to help motivate you and make sure you keep your word.”