Sam Kilbourne of Ipswich Sports Club shares his fitness tips

Sam Kilbourne, a senior fitness advisor and duty manager at Ipswich Sports Club, has put together a list of his expert advice for people who do not want to be negatively surprised after getting on the scales after the festive season.

Tip number one is - fill your Christmas plate with protein.

Sam said: “We can all agree the greatest part of the festive period is Christmas dinners - with all the trimmings!

Christmas dishes (Image: Newsquest)

“It’s important to indulge in times like these, however, calorie consumption can be a daunting aspect.

“My advice would be to fill your plate with protein. Lean sources include turkey and chicken.

“These will keep you satiated for longer and typically are lower in calories as opposed to roast potatoes or stuffing.”

As the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, motivation can naturally drop off when life gets busy during the festive season.

In order to keep fitness levels moderate, aim to reduce the number of sessions in the week, but add extra exercise instead.

This allows you to dedicate more time to Christmas shopping whilst still hitting your weekly goals.

Sam Kilbourne from Ipswich Sports Club (Image: Friel)

Tip number three says – let yourself enjoy Christmas with a drink, but replace mixers with their diet versions.

Sam added: “Don’t be afraid to enjoy a few beverages over Christmas - you deserve it after a productive year!

“I won’t be a Scrooge by telling you how many calories are in a pint or a large wine, but steering towards spirits and diet mixers is a great way to keep calories low whilst still enjoying a drink.”

Fitness clubs and gyms usually notice a big increase in attendance in January as the New Year’s resolution craze kicks off.

Sam’s last advice is: “Get ahead and start your fitness journey now!”