Christmas is just around the corner and we all know what that means, getting fat! To avoid the weight creep over the coming weeks, here are some tips to be mindful of:
Drink lots of water.
Water not only helps boost your energy and brain power, it promotes healthy weight management. It is also instrumental in flushing out toxins, reducing inflammation, maintaining healthy bowel movements, and prevents headaches, cramps and strains. Drinking 8 glasses of water a day is essential for good health all year round.
Stay active.
Just because it’s raining out or your street is covered with snow, doesn’t mean it’s a good excuse to be a couch potato. There is nothing more refreshing than a brisk walk in the rain, or shooting down a hill in a toboggan. If you have fitness equipment at home (and we sure hope you do), it’s a good time to put them to use. Walk on your treadmill for 20 minutes, get your mat out and do some yoga and pilates, do some strength conditioning using resistance bands and dumbbells. Or get to your local gym or community centre. Take in a spin class, go swimming, do zumba. Get out there and do some fitness every couple days. Staying active during the holidays is not only good for your waistline but also your soul!
Have a hardy snack before you go out.
Holiday parties are a blast. Lots of wine, appetizers, turkey, desserts, chocolate and then more wine. Sometimes it feels like gaining weight is unavoidable. However there is a way to save yourself. Just have a snack before you go. This way you will avoid lingering around the appetizer table, a snack here and a snack here can really add up especially if dip and sweets are involved. Snacking before you go will also keep you from getting tipsy from wine.
Fill up your plate with salad…and we don’t mean potato salad or pasta salad!
The ideal salad is a garden salad seasoned with olive oil and vinegar. Make sure at least half your plate is salad, and the other half can be a combo of proteins and whole grains.
Limit your carb intake.
Nothing makes us feel more bloated and heavy than bread and pasta. Try to avoid that extra dinner roll, or second helping of spaghetti. If possible substitute with whole grain varieties.
Make smart beverage choices.
A holiday party without good beve’s, just doesn’t seem right. However try to limit your alcohol intake and make wiser choices during the holidays. Wine and beer are loaded with calories, that can really lead to packing on the weight pretty fast. If you must drink, try low calorie drinks that include classic spirits such as gin, vodka, whiskey, tequila or rum. Gin and Tonic or a Caesar are great options for the holidays.
This holiday season, laugh and be merry; keep safe and always keep moving! – Love from your friends at Fitness Town.
