Food of the same calorie count may have drastic differences in quantity, so be wise when you’re reaching for that afternoon snack, says Ronald Lim, a personal trainer at Pure Fitness’s Ngee Ann City outlet. For example, two-and-a-half apples yield 200 calories, just like a tiny cube of butter, a handful of gummies, or three-quarters of a donut.

“It makes more sense to consume food that give you more bang for your calorie buck, and keep the tummy filled,” says Ronald. Go for things that make you full faster, such as vegetables and fruits that are high in fibre. Carbs like boiled potatoes or popcorn that you’ve prepared yourself work too.

READ MORE: 15 Kitchen Hygiene Rules You Should Follow To Prevent Food Poisoning

When people are trying to lose or maintain their weight, the first thing they would say they’re attempting is eating less. But asked how much their calorie (kcal) intake is, and the answer is usually “I don’t know”.

However, knowing how much you can consume is of the utmost importance, says Ronald. “Not knowing what your calorie intake is while trying to lose weight is like trying to manage your finances without knowing your account balance, leading to an inability to manage something since you cannot quantify it.”

Ronald suggests going on apps like MyFitnessPal to set goals, calculate your recommended intake and track calories. To lose weight, you need to consume 200 to 500 kcals less calories from your baseline, and you’ll need to engage in physical activities.

READ MORE: QUIZ: What’s Your Metabolism Type? (It Could Be The Key To Faster Weight Loss)

Being sedentary (i.e. lounging on the couch snacking while bingeing on Netflix shows) is a sure way of packing on the pounds. Go for a family walk every evening to stave off the lazy bug.

Better yet, take part in the Health Promotion Board’s National Steps Challenge (it runs from Oct 27 to April 30, 2019) together and be motivated to hit 10,000 steps daily (cool vouchers await for those who are persistent!). You can also sign up for end-of-year runs together and push each other to train for it. Not a fan of pounding the pavement? Rope in a few friends and sign up for dance lessons. Fun, and you get to work up a sweat.

We’ve been there: There’s a buffet lunch coming up so to “save space”, we skip breakfast so we can indulge more, feel less guilty and make our money’s worth. Don’t do it. It’s going to make you super famished, leading you to overeat and waste food. Instead, have a good breakfast that is full of protein, such as a satisfying bowl of oats with nuts and fruits or some scrambled eggs with wholemeal toast. It will keep you fuller longer and temper the urge to stuff your face later.

Try to opt for higher protein snacks at Christmas parties, such as yoghurt, meat or fish options like a beef skewer or tuna tartare, and give the more carb-heavy items like puff pastries a miss, said Charlie Temple, founder and director of Platinum Fitness.

This is because higher protein snacks help curb hunger and keep you full for longer, while refined carbs are empty calories which will lead to spikes in your blood sugar levels. Once those levels plunge, they promote hunger and make you crave more food, which can lead to overeating.

“Having said that, we believe that everyone should be able to consume and eat whatever they like – as long as consumption is in moderation,” adds Charlie. “Just be prepared to work it off the next day!”

Just because it’s the festive season doesn’t mean you should stop working out, says Max Johnson, co-founder and president of Platinum Fitness. He recommends high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts because the short bursts of high-intensity exercises help to keep the metabolism rate up – thus burning off the extra calories. 

“Working out only takes one hour a day, which is essentially only 4 per cent of your day,” points out Max. So no excuse! “Remember that consistency is always key and even if you do not have time to exercise during the day, you can always do it at home or head down to Platinum Fitness.”

Tip: Try the Nike Training Club app, which has a number of adrenaline-pumping workouts that do not require the use of equipment, he shares.

READ MORE: The Best Workouts To Do At Any Age

“Unlike protein, carbohydrates and fats that provide essential benefits and lead to better living, alcohol is pretty much empty calories. It does not help with muscle building like protein does, nor does it provide energy like carbs and fats,” points out Ronald. 

Besides, alcohol gives you 7kcals per gram – which is similar to fats (that gives 9 kcals per gram). “So the next time you look at a cocktail, keep in mind that it’s kind of like downing a glass of oil,” he adds.