It is that time of year when there are family dinners, vacations, gifts, and everything fun. But it is also the time when people gain more weight than they have in the entire year. So here are some easy ways you can try to maintain your hard-earned abs. As you read this, remember to not get too strict with yourself, it’s the time to enjoy, and gaining a pound or two is fine, but anything more, Na ah.
Make your family time an active one: Being with family doesn’t have to be sitting in front of the television and eating cookies all day long. You can play some sports, build a snowman, go for a nearby hike, or simply dance around. You’ll not only make memories but burn some calories too.
Limit your alcohol intake: Yes, there will be wine and cocktails and all sorts of amazing drinks. But they are packed with calories, especially the fancy ones. Another problem with alcohol is the control loss. When you’re sober, you are in a better state to decide what food is good for you and what isn’t.
Choose your drinks wisely: Should you decide to drink, drop that elaborate cocktail menu aside, and go for something basic. That way, you can get in the festive spirit, without loading up on the unnecessary sugars.
Pack yourself with proteins and fiber: Start your meals with foods that are high in proteins and fiber. They make you feel full for a longer time. That way you’ll have less room for the pumpkin pie, or caramel pie, or whatever your favorite dessert is. This is one of the most effective techniques and you can totally rely on this unless you’re a bottomless pit.
Get enough sleep: Sleep deprivation is very common during the festive season. Sleep deprivation is linked to extreme hunger hormones causing you to overeat. At the same time, lack of sleep slows down the metabolism process and makes it difficult to burn the excess calories consumed. So make sure you get plenty of sleep this season.
Remember, moderation is the key: People who know their portion sizes well are less likely to gain weight than people who do not. If you’re in a room full of tasty foods, it is impossible to not eat them at all. Instead, go for small portions, and even better share it with your friends. That way, you’re going get a taste of all the delicacies but with fewer calories.
Don’t starve before a party or an outing: You tend to go out of control and eat too much without chewing when you’re ravenously hungry. So try and have a little snack before the big fancy dinner. That way you will not only make better food choices but eat slowly and more mindfully.
Stay hydrated: It often happens that people confuse thirst and hunger signals. They feel that they’re hungry. But they’re actually just thirsty. Stats reveal that this is one of the most common reasons why people overeat. So go ahead and up your water intake.
Plan a 30-min no equipment workout: It might not be possible for you to go to the gym, or workout your routine way. But that doesn’t mean you can’t exercise at all. Wear some comfy clothes and dedicate 30 mins of your day towards a little something for your body.
Check your weight on a regular basis: When you weigh yourself regularly, you can keep a tab on the weight range. If you see any undesirable change, you can take some action quickly do the damage control before the weight gain gets out of hand.
Do not completely give up on junk food or sweets: In order to be healthy and balanced, you don’t have to make 100% healthy food choices. We often fall into the trap of going completely junk-free and sugar-free only to end up craving them more. Instead, eat 80% healthy and allow yourself 20% of treats. That way you’ll develop a sustainable habit of eating at least 80% healthy, without any rebounds.
Hope these tips help you come out of the holiday period with a lot of happy memories and zero guilt !!
