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How to: Avoid weight gain this Christmas

TIP #1: Think of your bikini
With summer coinciding with the festive season, there’s no better incentive to avoid the diet derail. Karen suggests setting the realistic goal of maintaining your current weight during this time. ‘Weigh yourself daily during the festive season, so you can beaware if the kilos are creeping on, rather than getting a nasty surprise in the new year,’ she says.

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TIP #2: Cocktail party crackdown
‘Before a cocktail party, make sure you eat something small first, like a banana,’ Karen says. Then on arrival ‘your first drink should always be water’. Drink slowly, alternate water with every alcoholic drink and say no to pastries and anything deep-fried, she adds.

TIP #3: Bring along your own plate
When it comes to family gatherings and barbies, ‘take a plate of something you’d be happy to eat’, says Karen – hummus and vegetable sticks, smoked salmon or fruit salad on skewers. You’ll be popular with the host, too!

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TIP #4:Give away the leftovers
Leftovers and gifts of shortbreads, Christmas cake and chocolates are too tempting to have around, says Karen, who says there’s no better time to ‘re-gift’.

TIP #5: Indulge… in moderation
‘Christmas Day and your birthday are times for celebration, so you should be able to indulge on the day, but just watch your portion size,’ Karen says.