Back-to-fitness in the UAE: 7 fun ways to bounce back after holiday feasting

Biryanis, pies, cookies. Late-night ice cream. Maybe you were strolling the streets of Rome, savouring gelato, or in Turkey, buying all the baklava you could carry. Or perhaps you stayed home, thinking, 'just one more plate won’t hurt.'

And that’s perfectly fine. But now, your jeans are giving you side-eye, and the gym has been a distant memory. It’s time for a reset — and no, we’re not talking about crash diets or tough drills that make you regret life.

Forget that 'I’ll work out for two hours every day' lie we all tell ourselves in January. Try 20 minutes of movement: a brisk walk, a TikTok dance, or a yoga flow. Small wins add up.

Your body is basically 70 per cent water and 30 per cent holiday desserts. Swap the soda for water, infuse it with lemon or cucumber if you’re fancy, and you will feel less sluggish in days.

They’ve been sitting on the sidelines while carbs and sugar stole the spotlight. Bring them back — add greens to your breakfast omelet, sneak spinach into pasta, or just snack on carrot sticks. Your body will thank you.

Elevators are cute, but stairs are better. Take the long route, walk while you can, or just get your steps in at the mall.

You don’t need to cut out every carb or sign your life away to the gym. Balance is the new cool. Eat the pizza, but maybe pair it with a salad and not four cans of a beverage.

Netflix will still be there tomorrow. Your body needs 7–8 hours to actually burn fat and recover. A rested you, means a more motivated you.

Hate the treadmill? Don’t do it. Try Zumba, boxing, or that trendy spin class everyone’s posting about. If you don’t enjoy it, you won’t stick with it — simple as that.