The former LA Galaxy footballer’s tips for making it to New Year’s without the expanding waist.

Silly season is upon us. You’re about to go to too many festive parties, drink too many festive drinks and eat too much festive food. All great fun, of course. However (and we don’t wish to put a bah-humbug dampener on things), a solid month of “getting on it” can rather derail one’s fitness regime. So we asked MR PORTER Style Council member Mr Robbie Rogers, who earlier this month retired from playing football for LA Galaxy, for three tips on how to avoid adding the extra inch around the middle without being a Christmas grinch.

“They say you shouldn’t do grocery shopping when you’re hungry – because you’ll spend more than you need and buy all the wrong things,” Mr Rogers says. “Likewise, when you go to a party on an empty stomach, you will snack on all the unhealthy nibbles. Better to eat something reasonably substantial and balanced an hour before you go and avoid the chips and dips altogether, or at least don’t make a meal of them. This will also mean you are better able to handle your drinks and you’re less likely to make bad life decisions later.”

“Alcohol inhibits a good night’s deep sleep and research shows that there is a clear link between sleep deprivation and weight gain. Plus, it rapidly depletes your immune system. A month of poor sleep will mean a) you will likely come down with man-flu when you limp home to your family; and b) you may suddenly gain a few extra pounds. After a big night out, try to have 24 hours without alcohol so you can properly catch up on restorative shuteye.”

“When you’re feeling exhausted and run down, skip the gym in favour of Bikram yoga. It is a very effective, low-impact, winter-warming, indoor workout that helps you focus on core strength and flexibility without damaging your joints. It’s also a speedy way to detox and sweat out the previous night’s revelries, as well as take an hour to switch off from the hectic-ness of the season. You’ll find it lowers stress, enhances your mood and staves off the winter blues. Just make sure you stay really well hydrated, especially when hungover.”