How To Burn Christmas Calories

We're all guilty of over-indulging during the silly season thanks to sugar-laden Christmas treats, hearty roasts with all the trimmings and a holiday hammock with your name written all over it.

The average Christmas dinner will cost you around 1500 calories - that's more than some people's entire daily intake in a single meal!

Luckily, there is one proven formula for a guilt-free Christmas. Exercise!

Studies have shown that if you consume significantly more calories than you burn off this Christmas, a short daily bout of exercise will stave off most of the negative effects of over-eating and inactivity.

We break down some of the naughty-but-oh-so-nice Christmas snacks and just how much exercise you'll need to do to burn it off:

Christmas pudding (50g) = 140 calories

Cross-trainer for 24 minutes at a moderate intensity 

Mince pies (one pie) = 200 calories

Rower for 30 minutes (30 second sprints, 30 seconds rest)

Egg nog (250ml) = 180 calories

Brisk walk on the treadmill for 45 minutes 

Rum balls (one ball) = 65-100 calories 

Skip for 7-10 minutes 

Gingerbread man (small) = 45 calories

Star jumps for 5 minutes 

Roast lamb (100g) = 199 calories  

Kettlebell swings for 10 minutes 

Roast turkey (100g) = 101 calories 

Fast-paced jog on the treadmill for 10 minutes 

Cranberry sauce (100g) = 151 calories 

40 minutes of yoga 

Potato salad (250g) = 358 calories 

Stand up paddle boarding for 45 minutes

Pavlova (120g) = 272 calories

40 minutes swimming 

Stuffing (1 cup) = 356 calories 

40 minutes of boxing 

Candy canes (1 medium) = 56 calories 

Burpees non-stop for 3 minutes