Most people think that the biggest cause of weight gain during the winter holidays is food, but in all reality, people don’t eat that much more during the winter than in the summer (think of all the hot dog stands, fair food, sugary summer drinks, etc.) The problem is that people get lazy during the winter and are less willing to be active, especially in places where there is winter weather. As soon as the temperatures start dropping and there’s less daylight, people are less willing to leave the house and tend to sit at home . This slows your body’s metabolism significantly. If you want to avoid it, here’s a few suggestions:
Track your food intake: Use a journal or an app like MyFitnessPal to keep track of your daily workout alongside the calorie intake. This will let you know how many calories you consumed and how many calories you’ve burnt. Being mindful and informed will help you make better decisions.
Lower the alcohol and increase the water consumption: Alcohol packs a load of calories and the count can easily go. After each alcoholic drink, try to drink at least a glass of H2O. Drinking dehydrates your body and makes you feel bloated. Drinking water helps your body recuperate faster by detoxing your liver and kidneys.
Portion control: Studies have shown using a smaller plate helps with food consumption. Eat more proteins than carbs. Start with a salad or soup. This will help you feel fuller without packing the extra calories and can even save some room for dessert!
Plan ahead: If you work in an office setting be prepared for the of guilty treats your co-workers will want to share. Stash your own healthy snacks in your desk so you won’t be tempted to overindulge.
Have a fitness goal: Do you know where you want to be at, after the holidays? Make a goal! Don’t put your fitness goals on hold until the New Year. If you can’t exercise as often during this time period as you normally do, adjust appropriately. Start now. Join a gym, do yoga, go hiking, cycyling. Make it a habit.
Do not just “diet”: The #1 New Year resolution everyone makes is to lose weight. They hit the gym hard for 3 weeks and then just stop. Don’t just stop eating after the holidays! Your body can’t handle drastic changes. Those changes you want to make have to be progressive and consistent. Also when you “diet”, you actually want to make long term changes and not follow some fad diet.
Get enough rest: Studies show that the lack of sleep is a big contributor for weight gain. Plan a quiet time an hour before bedtime. Read a book, have some herbal tea (helps with digestion), and put all technology distractions away.
Use your holiday time to do things instead of just staying on a sofa and munching. Visit places or people. Do things. Go out there and see things. You will not only gain a lot of memories and get to know new people but also have less time to think about food. Don’t be too hard on yourself because the harder you are on yourself, the more you may think about your weight, and that could actually cause you to eat more.
Good luck and all the best for a happy, healthy holiday season.
Track your food intake: Use a journal or an app like MyFitnessPal to keep track of your daily workout alongside the calorie intake. This will let you know how many calories you consumed and how many calories you’ve burnt. Being mindful and informed will help you make better decisions.
Lower the alcohol and increase the water consumption: Alcohol packs a load of calories and the count can easily go. After each alcoholic drink, try to drink at least a glass of H2O. Drinking dehydrates your body and makes you feel bloated. Drinking water helps your body recuperate faster by detoxing your liver and kidneys.
Portion control: Studies have shown using a smaller plate helps with food consumption. Eat more proteins than carbs. Start with a salad or soup. This will help you feel fuller without packing the extra calories and can even save some room for dessert!
Plan ahead: If you work in an office setting be prepared for the of guilty treats your co-workers will want to share. Stash your own healthy snacks in your desk so you won’t be tempted to overindulge.
Have a fitness goal: Do you know where you want to be at, after the holidays? Make a goal! Don’t put your fitness goals on hold until the New Year. If you can’t exercise as often during this time period as you normally do, adjust appropriately. Start now. Join a gym, do yoga, go hiking, cycyling. Make it a habit.
Do not just “diet”: The #1 New Year resolution everyone makes is to lose weight. They hit the gym hard for 3 weeks and then just stop. Don’t just stop eating after the holidays! Your body can’t handle drastic changes. Those changes you want to make have to be progressive and consistent. Also when you “diet”, you actually want to make long term changes and not follow some fad diet.
Get enough rest: Studies show that the lack of sleep is a big contributor for weight gain. Plan a quiet time an hour before bedtime. Read a book, have some herbal tea (helps with digestion), and put all technology distractions away.
Use your holiday time to do things instead of just staying on a sofa and munching. Visit places or people. Do things. Go out there and see things. You will not only gain a lot of memories and get to know new people but also have less time to think about food. Don’t be too hard on yourself because the harder you are on yourself, the more you may think about your weight, and that could actually cause you to eat more.
Good luck and all the best for a happy, healthy holiday season.
