Discover the secrets of training through Christmas (without sacrificing social time!)

Hands up if you've ever let your training slip over Christmas and New Year. It doesn't have to be that way. I'm going to let you into a few secrets so you can keep training without disrupting social plans. Read on to discover why 2013 is the year you train through the festivities.

Tip 1: Schedule training sessions. Before the Christmas build-up begins, sit down with your online or paper planner and schedule in your training sessions. Perhaps you already do this? Don't let the habit slip over Christmas and New Year. Make a formal commitment to training, just as you would with other non-negotiable events. Schedule in club training sessions, time with your coach or Personal Trainer, and even those solo runs, rides and sessions which would otherwise be easy to forget.

Tip 2: Buddy up with a training partner. Do you have a training partner? If not, now's the time to find one! A like-minded, reliable training partner is invaluable particularly in these colder, darker months where social events are pulling at your priorities. Make concrete plans to meet your training partner at a certain place and time, and agree on the content and outcome of your training session. You won't want to let them down.

Tip 3: Get it done early. Whether or not you're a morning person, get your training done early in the day over the Christmas and New Year period. Not only are you more likely to do it before festive distractions kick in, but an early training session will set you up for the day. You'll feel accomplished, energised and motivated. And you'll probably feel less inclined to mindlessly nibble on Christmas food, too.

Tip 4: Declare your intentions. Accountability is a very helpful tool for staying true to a goal. Tell friends, family and training partners that you intend to train over Christmas and New Year. Use social media and online forums as well as telling nearest and dearest. The more people you've told, the less willing you'll be to postpone, forget or ignore a training session. And by telling people, you'll build a wave of good feeling and motivation, spurring you on to get out there and report back. 

Tip 5: What is your "why"? This is a fundamental secret to year-round training consistency, but I thought I'd let you in on it now as it's particularly helpful at challenging times of the year. Dig deep to discover your "why"? Why do you train, why do you compete, why is health and fitness such an important part of what you do and who you are? You don't need to tell me, or anyone else, but you do need to find an answer which will resonate with you, even when it's a dark, cold morning and everyone else is sitting in comfy chairs tucking in to mince pies….

And finally, stay consistent, push hard when you train and then enjoy the recovery time, too!