It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Friends and family reunite, snow sprinkles down on cheerfully decorated homes, and we share delicious, hearty food with one another. It seems as if nothing can break our holiday spirit. But as soon as the New Year passes, we are left to regret an entire month’s worth of poor eating choices and lax exercising habits.
Fortunately, there are a few precautions you can take to ward off the Yuletide pounds. Stay ahead of the curve and treat your body right this season with these 6 tips:
Make a Plan – As much as we wish they could, habits don’t change on their own. Create an achievable plan and stay disciplined! Instead of telling yourself you won’t eat any desserts at all, allow yourself to indulge in one dessert per holiday gathering (and really savor it). Rather than planning to work out every single day, pick 2 to 3 days a week that you’ll dedicate at least 30 minutes toward exercising. This frame of mind will help you stick with your goals without making them so out of reach that failure is guaranteed.
Don’t Skip Meals – With all the extra food, drinks, and desserts on hand, you might think the best way to combat caloric overload is to skip a meal entirely. Don’t do it! Skipping meals deprives you of the energy you need to get through your day, which can lead you to overeat later. In the end you’ll only consume more calories than you would have otherwise.
Portion Control – What you eat is not nearly as important as how much you eat. It’s the holidays! Allow yourself a glass of egg nog or enjoy your favorite side dish at dinner with your friends. Just don’t overindulge, and your waistline should remain trim.
Eat When You’re Hungry – Being surrounded by food at a holiday gathering can be so tempting, but just because the food is there doesn’t mean you should eat it. Tune into your body regularly and try your best to eat only when you’re actually hungry. This is a sure-fire way to keep yourself from overindulging.
Refresh Your Workout Routine – The cold weather makes us all want to curl up on a couch with cozy blankets and our favorite show. It can be really difficult to keep up with our regular exercise routine, so the best way to overcome this is to hit the refresh button. Sign up for a new aerobics class, find a new YouTube workout series, or take a new route on your daily jog. Whatever you decide, make it new and fun. You won’t have to worry about being cold if you’re exercising!
Get Plenty of Sleep – You may think that staying healthy only entails positive eating and exercising habits, but what about sleep? Due to time off from work and traveling, your sleeping schedule will probably change during the holiday season. Make sure you are getting at least 7 hours of sleep every night. A good night’s sleep will energize you and keep you on track to following your health goals!
Sometimes, exercise and healthy eating aren’t enough to keep you looking and feeling your very best. If you’re looking to make this holiday season even more memorable, call The Lifestyle Center today at (314) 863-5556. We can help you attain a tighter, more youthful look with our many body treatments. Call us to schedule your free consultation!
