It’s time for the Cup Match holiday! Whether you are for Somerset or St George’s the party is on and if you’re like me and love to eat, this weekend is probably not the best time to start making aggressive weight-loss goals.

Cup Match can easily throw a wrench in healthy eating plans and workout routines. It’s the perfect recipe for stacking on the pounds and reversing some of your hard-earned gains. However there’s no reason you can’t enjoy yourself.

Below are a few healthy strategies to get you through this long, wonderful weekend which, everyone knows, is mainly about Somerset winning – unless of course, you’re for St George’s.

Choose wisely

Instead of blowing every meal this weekend, aim to maintain your weight by choosing protein and plenty of fruits and vegetables at all of your meals. Try and hydrate more than you normally would in preparation for sitting out for long periods of time in the heat.

Eat before you leave

Most parties, as fabulous as they are, don’t always have the healthiest foods. Eat healthier whole foods at home before you leave for the party – even a protein shake or bar can curb cravings and make you feel full and keep you from overindulging.

Don’t skip meals

Skipping a meal earlier in the day so you can drink more swizzle later on might sound like a plan but “saving” your calories usually leads to bingeing. It can also cause your blood sugar to crash, which can leave you feeling tired and anxious. For some of us, it can even cause headaches and migraines.

Skipping meals can also trigger the body to lower its metabolism to conserve the energy your body needs to function. This can unfortunately lead to weight gain even if we’re eating the same amount of food.

To keep your blood sugar in check, eat high-protein meals and snacks on a regular basis. That way when you want to indulge in your friend’s sugar cookies this weekend, you won’t be tempted to eat the entire batch. If you know you’re going to be out all day, take along some healthy snacks to keep you from buying treats you don’t need.

Don’t forget to stay hydrated

We all know that we should hydrate. Striving to drink half of your body weight in ounces per day is what is recommended. And this time of year especially, we should keep this in mind. It’s also important if you’re consuming alcohol to match every cocktail with a glass of water so you stay hydrated and prevent hangover woes.

Be accountable

I check in with my clients to see how their runs and food habits are going and to offer advice if they need it. We enjoy our sessions together and deep down, I know they hate missing one! Around Cup Match it’s easy to start cancelling all fitness-related activities however if you have a buddy or personal trainer to hold you accountable, it won’t be as easy to make excuses about why you can’t work out. When you have to report back to someone, it strengthens your commitment to getting your workout done.

It’s OK to decline

We all want to please our family and loved ones and we tend not to prioritise our own health needs. If you find that your stress levels are getting high and your body is feeling worn out, decline that boat invite or social gathering. Don’t be afraid to be open about your how you are feeling mentally and physically. Your body will thank you by feeling rested and ready for the celebrations this weekend!

Celebrate the best team and B-Active For Life!

Betty Doyling is a certified fitness trainer and figure competitor with more than a decade of experience. Look for B. ActiveForLife on Facebook