Effective Strategies for Keeping Weight Off This Holiday Season
Limit holiday eating to just the actual holiday
Eating more than usual during the holiday season is a quick way to gain weight, particularly body fat. If you’re not careful, the season can often extend for several weeks, leading to regular over indulging in calorie-rich foods that can fast-track weight gain. Being mindful of when you indulge in these foods can help you maintain your current weight. See the ideas below for some helpful guidance. If you’re looking for some serious one on one guidance and accountability, ImPoweredFit.com has what you’re looking for.
Set Boundaries for Your Eating Habits
Define what the holiday means for you in terms of food. It's best to limit your holiday eating to the actual holiday - like Christmas Day or New Year's Eve. This doesn't mean you can't enjoy the food, it simply means prevent turning a one-day celebration into a month-long feast.
Plan Your Meals
Plan your meals for the week. This is a valuable strategy all year round. During the holidays, it will allow you to enjoy your favorite dishes without exceeding your daily calorie intake.
These steps do not promise overnight weight loss, but they can help manage and prevent weight gain during the holiday season. Remember, the goal is not to restrict your holiday celebrations, but to maintain a good strategy on all other days. I actually believe it’s ok to enjoy yourself on Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner for example, but recognize you’re celebrating just those meals, rather than the entire month of December!
Make time for your exercise routine during the week
While the holiday season can be a festive time filled with treats and indulgences, it also presents a prime opportunity to lose sight of your exercise routine. Here are some strategies that should help you interweave exercise effectively into your busy holiday schedule and keep off that extra body fat:
Establish Your Workout Plan: Create a weekly schedule outlining the specific days and times you'll exercise. Whether it's an early morning jog or an evening visit to the gym, stick to your plan.
Explore Fun Activities: Holidays offer numerous opportunities for physical activities disguised as fun. Try ice skating, go for a family hike, or engage in a snowball fight. You'll not only burn calories but also create memories.
Stay Flexible With Your Routine: While it's important to stick to your schedule, sometimes it's necessary to adapt. If a workout session doesn't fit into your holiday plan one day, try squeezing some physical activity into other parts of your day, like doing squats during TV commercial breaks or taking a walk after a heavy meal.
Take Advantage Of Home Workouts: You can probably have a more effective workout at home than you realize. Especially with some guidance from, oh maybe an online provider like ImPoweredFit.com. You can save commute time to the gym, and you can squeeze in a quick session whenever you can.
Remember The 10-Minute Rule: It can be easy to skip an exercise session when you feel you don't have enough time. But, remember, any exercise is better than none. Even 10 minutes of a quick well planned workout can make a difference and help prevent weight gain.
Limit alcohol to the holiday celebration
As easy as pouring that second or third glass of wine might be during the holiday festivities, it’s just as easy to pick up a new unhealthy habit of pouring a glass throughout the week as well. It's crucial to limit your alcohol intake, for many reasons, including if you're aiming to control body fat and prevent weight gain.
Keep this in mind: you should treat alcohol as an occasional indulgence. Remember, indulgences are meant to be infrequent, a celebration- not regular. Just like with holiday meals, keep your alcohol consumption mainly to the actual celebration day. Your body, especially your liver, will thank you!
Throughout the festivities, it's essential to strike a healthy balance. Limit your alcohol consumption, consume water, and maintain a regular workout routine, and you're on your way to keeping weight off this holiday season. Remember, it's not about complete deprivation, but if you can make smart choices on the majority of days, taking part in the feast on the holiday will not affect your fitness goals. Enjoy the holiday season while making health-conscious decisions.
