As we enter the holiday season, many of us stress out about gaining excess weight. With all of the delicious meals and family gatherings filled with baked goods, how could one not be tempted? There are many ways to beat the battle of the bulge and even improve your fitness level before the New Year rolls around. Below are 12 tips for staying in shape throughout the Holidays and avoiding the typical holiday weight gain.
Last but not least, decide today that you want to make the best out of this holiday season. Don't wait until January 1st to set your New Year's Resolution; set it today. You will enter 2013 feeling great and will be able to focus on a different goal than 90 percent of the population. You only live once, so enjoy what you love in moderation. Stay active, even if it is not your normal routine, and you will maintain or progress even during this time of year.
Set your goals and enjoy the season!
- Set Some Fitness Goals and Have a Plan: Set fitness goals and stick to a plan. Without goals and a plan to go by it is just too easy to start missing workouts and blowing the diet.
- Use Moderation When Cheating On Your Diet: Allow yourself to indulge a little here and there, but limit your portions. Far too many of us think "Oh, it's a holiday! I can only have certain goodies at this time of year." Cookies and pies are around 365 days a year, and with planned cheat meals you can enjoy them every week. So don't make the holiday season a reason to ruin your hard earned results.
- Make Yourself A Goal To Do Something Active Each Day: It might not be your average workout, but try to get out and move for at least 30 minutes.
- When Short On Time, Emphasize The Weights Training Portion Of Your Workouts: Muscle aids in burning fat, and will help to fight off the extras that you normally don't eat. If you are going to cut the workout short for the day, hitting the weights first, even at the expense of cardio is an option. If this is the case, you can use supersets and giant sets to make your weight training workouts more aerobic in nature.
- Eat A Balance Of Macronutrients: Do not cut out any food groups as you will most likely be hungry and eat foods that your body doesn't really need. If you are hungry, fill up on protein and veggies as protein increases your metabolism by up to 20% and veggies take more calories to digest than what they contain.
- Limit Your Alcohol Consumption: you are better off eating an extra cookie than consuming numerous cocktails. Excess alcohol contributes to fat gain.
- Drink Plenty Of Water: Many times we will overeat because we are dehydrated and thirsty. Therefore, make sure that your water intake is adequate. Water also gives you a sense of fullness so if properly hydrated you are more likely to consume less food.
- Eat Your Regularly Scheduled Meals: If you skip meals in preparation for a family gathering or holiday party buffet, you are setting yourself up for disaster. Make sure that you eat all of your meals and that the carbohydrates in all of these meals have a low glycemic index; especially breakfast as research indicates that people who eat a breakfast with low glycemic carbs, will typically eat significantly less food and have more stable energy levels than those who do not.
- Don't Keep "Danger" Foods Around: We all have some food that will trigger a binge, so try to keep these foods out of the house.
- Brush Your Teeth Following A Meal: Sounds silly but who wants to eat after they have that minty fresh breath?
- Limit Your Time In Front Of The Television Set: Sitting in front of the television when you have some free time sets you up to be influenced by the numerous commercials that constantly market foods.
- Plan A Time Each Week To Wear One Of Your Favorite Tight Outfits: Whether it is a cute holiday dress for the girls, or a new muscle baring shirt for the guys, once you have in your mind that you want to wear your "hot" outfit for a particular reunion or party, you will be less likely to over eat. Since it's the Holidays, typically you will have at least one of these every ten days or so. Save your cheat meals for the actual event and make the days leading up to it clean.
Last but not least, decide today that you want to make the best out of this holiday season. Don't wait until January 1st to set your New Year's Resolution; set it today. You will enter 2013 feeling great and will be able to focus on a different goal than 90 percent of the population. You only live once, so enjoy what you love in moderation. Stay active, even if it is not your normal routine, and you will maintain or progress even during this time of year.
Set your goals and enjoy the season!
