It is possible to enjoy holiday goodies without putting on a single pound. Here's how...
Photograph: Nick Kenrick/Creative Commons
Staying on the track can seem very daunting during the holiday season. But, as we all know excess pounds don't disappear along with the decorations.
Even if you love the holidays, you can get stressed thinking about how to avoid gaining weight when you are faced with one food temptation after another.
Holiday time is usually a hectic time too, and that can make it tough to stick to your exercise routine.
It's not easy to go on portion patrol when the temptations are endless. Here are certain tips to help you avoid over-indulging.
1. Create a plan
Create a plan for incorporating fitness and good nutrition into your daily routine.
Evaluate your holiday schedule and then analyse how much time you will realistically devote to working out and/or eating healthy meals
2. Don't stop working out
Don't use the excuse that since you don't have time to exercise you won't workout at all.
Simply reduce the frequency and/or duration of your workout, but don't stop it completely.
3. Portion control
Practice portion control. You don't have to try everything.
Just because it is made, doesn't mean you have to eat it.
Make sure more than half of your plate is of vegetables.
Indulge in eating healthy food.
4. Never go to a party hungry
Be sure to eat regularly all day long on the day of a party.
Don't go empty stomach. Once you are at the party, indulge in delicious and healthy food.
However, if you starve all day long, you will be overeating than usual.
5. Schedule your workouts
Plan and mark your workouts on the calendar and set aside time to complete them.
Consider them as important as any other appointment you have marked on your calendar.
6. Start with healthy offerings when at a party
Go for healthy starters like vegetable sticks, fruit pieces, plain chicken pieces, etc. You will be less likely to over-indulge on high calorie foods if you have already filled-up on some healthier items.
7. Avoid alcoholic beverages
The average alcoholic drink contains 150-200 calories per glass.
If you partake in these beverages, choose wisely.
Instead of having a full glass of wine, try mixing half glass of wine with sparkling water or diet cola. This will help you cut your calories in half.
8. Drink water
Drink water all day long.
It is very important to keep your body hydrated during the holiday season, as you indulge in consuming more alcohol during this time.
Start your day with some lemon water and keep sipping water throughout your day.
9. Exercise and move more
Even if it is just for 10 minutes, just do something so keep that movement on.
Walk more. Spend less time on couch.
Keep moving around and exercising regularly. This will keep you active all day long.
i2Addicted is an online lifestyle journal that covers various genres like lifestyle, health and fitness and technology for Indian consumers.
