The Zero Calorie Advent Calendar was set up last year by London fitness bloggers From Snickers to Marathon, Diary of a Dashing Fashionista and PT Mollie, with the idea of providing a healthy alternative to chocolate in the countdown to the holidays.

With that message of balance in mind, the launch party started off with a run around the city streets led by Goodgym. Goodgym organise groups of runners who get fit by doing good – taking on physical tasks which benefit the community.

They led us on a festive run along the Southbank  (complete with Santa hats and reindeer antlers!) followed by a good deed at Somerset House, where we lugged some bits of wood and ripped up radiators for the Makerversity project.

We then continued running along the river for a while, taking in the sights and chatting away – I haven’t run in London much and it was pretty awesome checking out all the famous landmarks lit up at night!

Our group headed back to the Lululemon Showroom in Covent Garden (who had kindly offered their venue for the launch) for prosecco, nibbles (chocolate and carrot sticks, see, balance…) and a sneak peek into some of the exciting things that the Zero Calorie Advent Calendar team have lined up over the next few weeks!

Each day in December a new workout, recipe and health & fitness business offer will be provided (from free class passes to discounts on top products), helping us to keep on track and not succumb to eating lots of unhealthy food, and forgetting about our fitness goals!

We also heard more about the charity A Mile In Her Shoes, which the Zero Calorie Advent Calendar are officially supporting this year. This amazing initiative leads run clubs for homeless women as a way to help them get back on their feet, and they’re also looking for donations of older running shoes or kit.

I’ve already signed up to a “Festive Yoga Class” at Good Vibes Studio on 5th December, and there are various other events taking place throughout the month, so keep checking the Zero Calorie Advent Calendar website for details!

It was a great evening catching up with like-minded people, who don’t want to miss out on all the fun of the festive period, but who also think that keeping fit and staying active is great fun too! 🙂