For people who monitor their diets religiously, holiday season can be a true minefield. Most of us have to attend social gatherings, family outings or just deal with the all the mouth-watering delicacies being prepared at home. A lot of people use a lot of different strategies during times like these so that their diet doesn't go for a toss. The most frequently used technique by most people is to become anti-social. Can't control your food intake at parties? Simply stop going to parties. While this can help you stick to your “diet”, it's also a very good way to kill your social life. Let's be clear, fitness should revolve around your life and not the other way round.

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On the other side of the spectrum, we have people who go bat-sh*t crazy just at the sight of food and eat everything. This of course, results in fat gain. This is prevalent in bodybuilders whose excuse is always, 'I'm bulking'! Being a guy who believes in maintaining a balance between fitness and a social life, let me give you some tips on to sail through the festive period without becoming an unsociable human. 

1. Choose The Lesser Of Two Evils- Just Get A Taste And Move On

The idea of “I'm going to eat junk so I might as well eat everything in sight” is not a good choice at all. Instead, indulge a little. Portion control is the key. Eat 1 pastry instead of 4.  Pick foods with a lower calorie count. Just get a taste and move on. 

2. Up Your Training Volume Before An Outing

Depleting muscle glycogen can be a very useful trick before an event or social gathering. You simply have to do more sets or higher reps so that the muscle glycogen stores are depleted. When you deplete your muscle glycogen, you give the incoming carbs somewhere to go for storage instead of being converted to fat. You can do this a few days prior to a specific event or even right before heading to an event. A heavy high rep full body workout is the best option here. But remember not to do overdo it and scarf down everything you see.  

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3. Protein And Green Veggies

Fill up your plate with protein like chicken, paneer, fish, and green veggies. Then move on to something else. Protein is highly satiating and loads of vegetables help fill your stomach. This can help you control the damage tremendously.

4. Eat Before Leaving Home 

If the above solutions do not work for you, eat your meals at home before you leave for a party or dinner. I know this sounds a bit off but, it is what it is. Being full, you'll most probably avoid eating at the party, unless, of course, you are one of those people who like to gorge on food. 

5. Intermittent Fasting 

Intermittent Fasting is basically not eating for a large part of the day (14-18 hours) and then eating your meals in the next 6-8 hours. This approach can be very helpful during days where you know you've got a party or a dinner where you have to eat. Unless you go completely berserk, you'll be unlikely to exceed your entirely daily caloric requirement in the one meal. If you can train beforehand, even better!

And that's that! These strategies will to help you enjoy the holidays without losing track of your fitness goals. Now, do yourself a favor and eat a piece of cake for me!

Nav Dhillon is an online coach with GetSetGo Fitness, an online fitness company that helps people with fitness goals right from losing weight to competing in bodybuilding shows. Nav is an avid bodybuilding enthusiast and heads the NABBA (National amateur bodybuilders association) as a General Secretary. This innate passion and position has helped him work with a lot of bodybuilders to help them take their physique at the next level. He also has a lovely pet called Buster whom he enjoys playing with in his free time. You can reach Nav on nav.dhillon@getsetgo.fitness to take your fitness and physique to the next level.