Late nights, early starts, skipped gym sessions - and worst of all we are unable to hide under a reindeer sweater.
Welcome to Christmas party season.
Christmas in Australia is not nearly as forgiving for us as our northern hemisphere friends who can hide the results of their festive cheer under cheeky layers of knit-wear.
Our festive season is famed and feared for bringing dreaded extra kilos that we've been working so hard all year to keep at bay - with booze, stress, greasy hangover food and skipped workouts all to blame.
Health and nutrition professionals believe the key to bringing in the new year without feeling party fatigue could be as simple as eating your greens, drinking as much water as possible, and staying away from the deep-fried canapés on offer.
With these easy tips, this year doesn't have to be like the rest.
Health coach Pete Melov, founder of speciality food store BU Organics, says beating the bulge against an calendar full of parties offering canapés, cocktails and a spread of delicious, yet calorie-packed treats, could be as simple as keeping hydrated before a big night.
With the pressure of the party season on, as many try to keep a strict work-out schedule, Melov advises steering clear of coffee, plenty of water and dining out on green vegetables. Spinach, kale and broccoli are all in season at this time of year.
Spend the early hours of the morning before (and after) a big night hydrating, and avoid a bacon breakfast. Instead, opt for a green smoothie or natural fruits.
During the day, opt for salads and whole foods avoiding over anything high in sugar or heavily processed.
Surviving the party season relies on filling up on good foods but remembering not to over eat, which can lead to digestive stress.
After my fifteen minutes of talking to Pete, I can't even drink coffee. Right now, I'm opting for chai, green tea and cacao instead.
"Eat healthy, exercise, get outside, watch you don't overeat and always think of what you're eating or drinking," Melov says.
Health coach Cameron Nell says nutrition is a big key to healing your body during the stressful party season.
He believes the end-of-year madness isn't just wreaking havoc in the shops - but on our bodies too.
Nell says a decreased nutritional value in foods, along with poor gut bacteria balance called dysbiosis and stress can make weight loss more difficult.
He advocates organic foods, and warns different forms of stress can block elimination and can cause autointoxication.
Nells' action plan is simple enough to follow while avoiding party fall-outs and will get you to 2014, with a nurtured beach body.
- Avoid alcohol and cigarettes.
- Eat fresh fruits and vegetables that are organic or high in anti-oxidants.
- Eat your greens. It will aid your liver function.
- Liver herbal supplements can also help livers under stress.
- Hydrate with water to improve kidney function.
- Start habits that have been known to help intestinal health such as fermented foods and bone broth.
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