Holiday season is, indeed, upon us; what does that mean for you? For me, it manifests as family dinners, trips away from home and warm, sunny weather. Summer in Australia is magnificent; long days, warm balmy nights and the anticipation of sensational summery storms.

I thought about writing this final article for 2016 as a trip down the moderation isle and discussing alcohol and Christmas cookies… but instead I wanted to give you things to DO rather than what not to do.

No matter where you are, who you are with or what you are doing, there is always a chance for movement. Try creating a new family tradition these holidays that gets everyone together and gets them active. Morning walk anyone? How about a lap count competition at the pool or a game of touch footy on the beach or in the back yard? Use your imagination to come up with ideas of how to bond, connect and engage doing movement together.

But what about those Christmas and New Year party feasts? How about looking at eating more vegetables and more salads; let’s make it the summer of the salad, get creative with vacation vegetables and drink all the water. Filling up on nutritious, fiber rich vegetables will leave only a little bit of room for the rum balls and your body will be grateful. Those tastes of turkey stuffing, plum pudding and tantalising trifle… think of those as fuel for all those fun family frolics you’ll be enjoying. Get out and about, eat up and be healthy; most importantly, enjoy the ones you love.