1. Keep Moving -- Try to get in a little exercise everyday if possible. If not, then at least several times a week. If nothing else, get outside and walk around the block a few times. To get the most out of your workouts, workout in the morning and include intervals. Working out first thing in the morning will get your metabolism going and intervals will increase the amount of calories burned, allowing you to keep burning calories long after your workout is over. And by intervals, I simply mean change up your pace during your workout. If you are on the treadmill, instead of walking at the same steady pace the entire time, try walking at a moderate pace for a few minutes and then speeding up for a few minutes. Keep these alternating cycles going for your entire workout. Not only will working out counteract your calorie intake, but also the stress of the holidays and we all know that stress leads to weight gain!
2. Don't Overeat -- Stop eating when you are full. Don't keep eating just because it is sitting there staring at you or because you are bored. Remember that portion sizes should be no larger than the palm of your hand and that it is better to eat several small meals in a day than a few large meals. It's okay to splurge but just a little bit at a time. When the temptation is just too strong, get out of the house. Go for a walk or drink a glass of water to take the edge off.
3. Count Calories -- Keep track of what it going into your mouth. Journal it if you have to. Count calories or Weight Watchers points. Don't just eat everything in sight, all day long. You would be surprised how much you eat when you are not paying attention. They say 80% of weight gain/loss is what you eat. Only 20% is related to your exercise regimen.
4. Drink Water -- And lots of it! You should intake at least 64 ounces a day, or more. Water speeds up the weight loss process and will help cleanse your body of the extra sugar and fat you will be consuming over the holiday season.
5. Eat Early -- Make sure to eat breakfast to get your metabolism going. And try not to eat after 8:00 pm or at least 2 hours before you go to bed. Avoid late night snacking because those calories will not get burned off. But do make sure to get some good, quality sleep which also assists in weight loss.
Hope everyone has a blessed holiday season with loved ones! Enjoy some of the fabulous food but don't blow what you have worked so hard to achieve!
Feel free to leave comments with any other ideas that you have for avoiding holiday weight gain!
 About the Author: Erin Vick Franklin is the founder and director of Worthy of the Prize. Erin has a BBA in Marketing and Management from TCU and a Masters of Christian Education in Church Recreation from Southwestern Seminary. She is a published, award-winning author and poet. Purchase her book Worthy of the Prize Sports Camps: A Church's Guide to Implementing an Effective, Community-Reaching Christian Sports Camp to be used as an outreach tool for your church or mission organization. Erin is the wife of A, a Worship Pastor, and a work-at-home-momma to 2 crazy little boys, a and e. |
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2 comments:
Tip #2 Don't Overeat---is the one that I think is the most important one. I say, "Eat dessert first." Seriously...I often eat one or two bites of my dessert first, then eat my meat and veggies. This way when I am full, I will have already had a bite or two of dessert and do not think I have to eat more when I am full. Along these same lines, eat what you like best, first. Then when you are full, it's the things you like least you are not eating. If you save your favorite things for last, you will want to keep eating so you can enjoy them. You end up overeating!
This may sound facetious or like it's meant to be funny, but it's not. I've always found that I can stop eating when I am full by eating this way.
Thanks for stopping by, Botanic Bleu! Great tip!! Love it! :)
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