Over Christmas the average person will gain nearly three quarters of a stone in body fat.

While that’s no surprise (it is the season to eat, drink, and photocopy your bum at the office party) carrying that extra weight onto the field come April won’t be doing your game any good.

So can you have a great Christmas and still make it through without the strain on your belly, health and knees?

You can. And you don’t have to be the Grinch to do it.

Let’s be honest though, most of us will be guilty of Christmas gluttony. But you can minimise the effects and give yourself a head start from all the others stampeding towards the gym on January 2^nd by following the advice listed in this article.

Keep some perspective

The main thing to remember during the festivities is that you can enjoy yourself without blowing out every night.

You can eat traditional fare like roast potatoes and mince pies and get drunk a couple of times a week without a problem. The trick is to eat healthy the rest of the time.

Keep training

It’s also easy to do what everyone does over Christmas and put off the exercise until the New Year. The gyms are always fuller in January than they are at any other time for that very reason.

However, if you are going to be eating more, it makes sense to do some exercise too. You may not be able to get to the gym for an hour but anyone can find time for a long brisk walk. But if you can manage it, a run round the block for 15-20 minutes will do you the world of good.

When January hits it’s just 14 or so weeks until you are slipping the whites on again.