Let’s be honest, the events that occur during the winter period cause most of us to crave unhealthy food and skip the gym, just ‘because we can’ – but whilst it’s good to indulge in a treat every now and then, it’s important to remember that even just a few weeks of a relaxed diet and exercise routine will almost certainly set you back far longer than you spent actually doing the damage. Just think – do you want to roll (literally) into January with a bloated stomach, or do you want to enter the New Year thinking “I really enjoyed those past couple of weeks, but I’m so relieved I didn’t dent my progress too significantly”? Staying in control may be tricky for some, so we’ve put together five reasons as to why you shouldn’t throw in the towel when it’s now that you need to increase the cardio and pick up the weights… #1 – The Food and Drink The best, yet the most dangerous part of Christmas and New Year. The endless food and drink will without a doubt be unavoidable. You can be as healthy as you like, but it’s inevitable that several mince pies and glasses of bubbly with slip down nicely at one point or another. #2 – The Company Following on from point number one, as we all know Christmas and New Year is to be spent with family and friends, so unless they’re all on a major health kick – you’ll soon find yourself twice as tempted by that extra vol-au-vent or spare glass of mulled wine. #3 - The Winter Weather The colder weather and duller days will most likely have you diving for a blanket, hot chocolate and comfort food whenever possible, so whether you intend to or not, you will end up eating more food – and it won’t be the healthy kind. #4 – The “Summer Body Goals” Yes, it may be December, but we must remember that toned abs and slim thighs don’t appear overnight. If you’ve reached your goal body, try not to ruin it for the upcoming spring and summer months! And if you’re still a fair way off reaching your goal body, it may take weeks or even months to achieve it, so stick by the phrase “summer bodies are made in winter” and make December the month you smash it at the gym. #5 – The Routine No doubt, if you’re a keen gym goer and healthy eater, you’ll be well set into your routine by now. Therefore, having slightly too long out of your usual routine may make it impossible for you to get back on track come January 1st. To prevent this from happening, stick by your routine like your life depends on it and let nothing stand in your way. Those points aside, it is Christmas day in exactly two weeks time, so it’s important to let your hair down and enjoy the seasonal treats that you’ve been craving for the past twelve months. The crucial factor in this is to eat the food and drink the drink, appreciate every moment, work it off, and most importantly – have zero guilt. If you're keen to stock up on gym equipment for the upcoming festivities, or perhaps you're on the hunt for those perfect stocking fillers, you'll find plenty of product inspo in our new 2015 Christmas Gift Guide...