Festive Fitness Guide

FA exercise scientist Dawn Scott’s four-page festive fitness guide, aimed at players facing a Christmas of parties, feasting and no club training. Tables set out the calorie content of drinks and bar snacks against a recommended 1,500-2,500kcal daily intake for women, and note a British survey finding average Christmas Day consumption of 5,500 calories, two marathons’ worth of running to burn off. Scott suggests lower-fat choices and some activity on the day, then addresses the two- to three-week fixture break: England players follow a set programme, and aerobic fitness begins to fall away within two days of doing nothing. Sue Smith explains why she follows hers diligently. Printed sessions include speed and aerobic-development drills, cut-out treadmill and bike routines and two swimming sessions, plus advice for frozen-off games. Karen Carney, Alex Scott and Kelly Smith give their New Year resolutions on the closing page.