Worry not about overindulging in festive feasting this Christmas! There’s a remarkable fitness mum out there, known as The Gym Nurse to her 150,000 Instagram fans, who has let in on a little secret: gorging on holiday delights might just be the key to boosting your energy levels for those intense gym sessions. Shannon Collins, at the age of 44, is renowned for dispensing fitness wisdom online and has recently unveiled her unique approach to staying in tiptop shape without sacrificing her love for food.

According to Shannon, hitting the gym after the festive season can work to your advantage, as the surplus calories ingested during the holidays can serve as a much-needed energy source to power your workouts. She stresses that well-nourished bodies tend to perform better during training, and even if you’re feeling a bit sluggish from all the merrymaking, the downtime and relaxation can actually work in your favor as you get back into your fitness regime.

The secret, as revealed by Shannon, lies in returning to your usual exercise routine and allowing your body to harness the energy from all that festive fare for productive workouts. She encourages her followers to view food as the fuel for their workouts, rather than something to constantly burn off, whilst stressing the importance of nourishing the body properly, staying hydrated, and maintaining an active lifestyle.

Shannon’s post struck a chord with over 1,000 people who gave it a thumbs up, with many of them sharing their thoughts and experiences when it comes to post-Christmas fitness. One person highlighted the importance of understanding and respecting the body’s needs, while another echoed the sentiment of using food as fuel without the need for self-torture. Another follower shared their triumph in adopting this mindset and hitting personal fitness milestones, while yet another enthusiastically agreed on harnessing the extra carbs for some epic workout sessions.

So, if you’re racked with guilt over the holiday feast, take a leaf out of Shannon’s book and see it as a chance to power your fitness journey. Embrace the notion that food can be a source of vigour and resilience for your workouts, and get back into your routine with a positive outlook. With the right approach, those festive treats could very well be the key to getting back into shape and building a stronger, healthier body.