For many around the world, Christmas is a time of excess, feasting and the inevitable weight gain that follows.

But one personal trainer believes it is possible to be stay lean year round - and even in the Christmas season.

Sydney-based PT Camilla Akerberg, 28, recently shared her top ten tips that will allow you to stay in shape over the festive period. 

While the encouragement to drink and eat plenty is tempting, it's important to stay somewhat focused and on track.

It might be an obvious one, but if you have a period of parties and events coming up, it pays to be prepared.

'Be in super shape before it kicks off,' Camilla wrote on her blog. 

You can do this by trying a challenge, following an eating program and improving your healthy habits.

2.  Take the car

While you might think that taking the car to events makes you lazy and means you're not walking for public transport, in fact the car can be your saviour if you want it to.

'Taking the car is a great excuse to stay on the waters, and your friends will love to have a designated driver,' Camilla explained. 

3. Stick to the diet

With all of the tasty treats around at Christmas, it can be hard to resist a caramel slice or another roast potato.

But Camilla warns that if you keep your diet on track, you will reap the benefits over Christmas.

She said it's a good idea to choose foods wisely when you go out for dinner and opt for lean proteins, healthy fats and swap fries for a side salad, with sauce on the side. 

4. Increase fibre in your diet 

Though key to a diet at any time of year, fibre is especially useful at Christmas time, because it regulates your gut health.

The Sydney-based personal trainer explained that the macronutrient will help to keep you fuller for longer, which will also help to manage your food intake.

Take a fibre supplement during the holiday season to minimise the damage of gaining too much fat.

5. Consume healthy fats

Like fibre, healthy fats are also key at Christmas-time. 

Good fats like avocado, olive oil, almonds, walnuts and salmon will not only help you lose fat, but they will build lean muscle mass, aid with memory function and support a healthy immune system.

Camilla recommends you eat some healthy fats with each and every meal, as this might just stop you from reaching for extra helpings of pavlova.

6. Increase protein intake

Protein is the building blocks for a lean physique, and is something else to include in meals and snacks. 

'Chose lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs and high protein vegetable sources,' Camilla said, adding that you should be mindful about how food is prepared and choose grilled rather than battered or fried.

Protein supplements, shakes and BCAAs are also good to supplement training sessions.

7. Add in more cardio

With the extra consumption in calories comes a need to adapt your training effectively.

Camilla said she doesn't often to 'a whole lot of cardio', but will always add in some HIIT (high intensity interval training) over the holidays. 

Try doing short, sharp sets - and 'superset' them with other moves that also target that specific muscle.

8. Lead an active lifestyle

An active lifestyle is the key to staying healthy at Christmas.

And in Australia, we are lucky insofar as we can go on long walks, hikes, adventures and swims with our friends.

Camilla said you don't have to centre every catch-up with friends around drinking and eating. 

Instead, you can be active together.

9. Do fitness classes with friends

Aside from walking and hiking with friends, why not take a fitness class together over the Christmas period?

This will help to keep you accountable and also stop you from completely abandoning your workout regime over Christmas.

10. Realise you are minimising the damage, not avoiding it 

Lastly, the PT said you shouldn't be too hard on yourself.

Of course, over the holidays, you will eat and drink a little more, but as long as you motivate yourself come January, you can hit new fitness goals.

Source: DailyMail