Yesterday officially marked the beginning of the holiday season.
Unfortunately this could be the fast track to a fitness progress
disaster. If you are like many families that celebrated Thanksgiving,
you were probably in a food induced coma by nine o'clock last night.
Yes, for many people Thanksgiving is about stuffing your face until you
can eat anymore more.
This is only the beginning. The holiday season is when a lot of people gain the most weight. There are so many dinner parties, family gatherings and office parties to go to. What are you going to find at these gatherings? A lot of candy, finger food and cocktails! None of which are going to do anything good for your waist line. I have a lot of readers who are in Africa and you all know its barbeque (braai's) season (although none of the Africans I know need a reason to throw together a barbeque! lol)
Its a great time to catch up with friends and family you haven't seen in a long time but the holidays don't have to ruin all the hard work you've done so far. I don't believe in working so hard and then throwing it all out the window. I have said this a million time, living healthy is a lifestyle. Its something you commit to doing every day.
Here are a few tips to keep you on track his holiday season:
1. Keep moving
I see a lot of people who when the holidays roll around just quit on their workout routine. I know there is a lot to do but guess what its life. There will always be something to do and somewhere to be. You have to make time to exercise. The best thing to do is to schedule it in the morning and get it out of the way. Another great idea would be to schedule a physical activity with your family and friends with whom you'll be spending time. Get everyone involved! Whatever you do, do not put exercising to the side. It will help you burn off those extra calories you may consuming and will also keep your energy levels high for all those parties you'll be going to!
2. Portion control
I should have put this first on the list because it is the single most important tip i can give you. You must watch how much you are eating. Even if you are not making the healthiest choices around the holiday you can still get away with it if you keep it to a minimum. If you are shoveling cakes and cocktails without a care in the world, trust me, you will pay for it my friend! Eat when you are hungry and stop when you are satisfied. Notice I didn't say stop when you're full but when you are satisfied. It take about twenty minutes for your body to send a signal to your brain letting it know that you are full.Eat slowly giving yourself time to really taste, enjoy and digest your food.
3. Cocktail limit
Oh my... Where do I even start with this one. Those cocktail calories really add up! Its all empty calories so you are not getting any nutritional value in return. You are getting nothing but sugar and sometimes a hangover in the morning if you over do it. Keep your alcohol intake to a minimum. Even worse that the empty calories you are getting is the fact that alcohol lowers your inhibitions so you could end up eating more junk you were not even thinking about.
4. Pick one
We all want to have a little treat once in a while. I suggest just picking one of your favorite things. If you must have your grandmothers famous double fudge chocolate cake topped with ice cream and nuts and sprinkles... have some! Keep it portioned, just that night and then the next day get right back to your fitness routine. One unhealthy choices is really easy to work off the next day. A couple weeks worth of unhealthy decisions is way harder to work off the next month.
Now you are fully equipped to handle the temptation that the holidays bring. Now go forth my friend and have a happy and safe holiday!
Have questions? Ask me down in the comments!
This is only the beginning. The holiday season is when a lot of people gain the most weight. There are so many dinner parties, family gatherings and office parties to go to. What are you going to find at these gatherings? A lot of candy, finger food and cocktails! None of which are going to do anything good for your waist line. I have a lot of readers who are in Africa and you all know its barbeque (braai's) season (although none of the Africans I know need a reason to throw together a barbeque! lol)
Its a great time to catch up with friends and family you haven't seen in a long time but the holidays don't have to ruin all the hard work you've done so far. I don't believe in working so hard and then throwing it all out the window. I have said this a million time, living healthy is a lifestyle. Its something you commit to doing every day.
Here are a few tips to keep you on track his holiday season:
1. Keep moving
I see a lot of people who when the holidays roll around just quit on their workout routine. I know there is a lot to do but guess what its life. There will always be something to do and somewhere to be. You have to make time to exercise. The best thing to do is to schedule it in the morning and get it out of the way. Another great idea would be to schedule a physical activity with your family and friends with whom you'll be spending time. Get everyone involved! Whatever you do, do not put exercising to the side. It will help you burn off those extra calories you may consuming and will also keep your energy levels high for all those parties you'll be going to!
2. Portion control
I should have put this first on the list because it is the single most important tip i can give you. You must watch how much you are eating. Even if you are not making the healthiest choices around the holiday you can still get away with it if you keep it to a minimum. If you are shoveling cakes and cocktails without a care in the world, trust me, you will pay for it my friend! Eat when you are hungry and stop when you are satisfied. Notice I didn't say stop when you're full but when you are satisfied. It take about twenty minutes for your body to send a signal to your brain letting it know that you are full.Eat slowly giving yourself time to really taste, enjoy and digest your food.
3. Cocktail limit
Oh my... Where do I even start with this one. Those cocktail calories really add up! Its all empty calories so you are not getting any nutritional value in return. You are getting nothing but sugar and sometimes a hangover in the morning if you over do it. Keep your alcohol intake to a minimum. Even worse that the empty calories you are getting is the fact that alcohol lowers your inhibitions so you could end up eating more junk you were not even thinking about.
4. Pick one
We all want to have a little treat once in a while. I suggest just picking one of your favorite things. If you must have your grandmothers famous double fudge chocolate cake topped with ice cream and nuts and sprinkles... have some! Keep it portioned, just that night and then the next day get right back to your fitness routine. One unhealthy choices is really easy to work off the next day. A couple weeks worth of unhealthy decisions is way harder to work off the next month.
Now you are fully equipped to handle the temptation that the holidays bring. Now go forth my friend and have a happy and safe holiday!
Have questions? Ask me down in the comments!
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