Beneficial tips for weight loss

During the holidays we tend to eat more and less healthy and our physical activity is often on a lower level too. Those who keep a food journal will often keep it at home for those few days which of course is completely understandable.

It’s no surprise to anyone that these days will often lead to extra body fat and as a result our weight loss goals are set back a few pounds. So how to avoid these disadvantages (or at least reduce them) without having to deny yourself all the joy that comes with tasty dishes and hanging around with family and friends? Here are some simple and easy tips everyone can use to their advantage during the holidays.

• Eat smaller portions. This may seem a no-brainer but sizing your portions down will make a big difference. If you take smaller bites, and chew the delicacies longer you will be able to enjoy them more and thus will you need less. Keep in mind that it’s not the quantity but the quality.
• Make sure to cut down the portions already on the day or few days before the holidays so you are adjusted to eating less. Do not starve yourself because you are then inclined to over-eat which obviously doesn’t help you at all.
• Put more vegetables on your plate because if you eat more veggies you will automatically eat less foods that are high in fats and starch.
• Skip deserts for these are most often calorie bombs. You can make this easier for yourself to eat a little more from the main course or drink extra water during and/ or after the main dish
• Adjust your food intake during traveling. Many will (have to) travel during the holidays. Make sure to pack healthy snacks such as carrots, whole grain wheat products, and fruits to resist the temptation of buying fattening snacks during the journey.
• Stay active. While visiting family or friends you can help out in the kitchen, take a walk in the garden, or manage to stay active in other ways. A great way to burn some additional calories is to take a walk in the morning or evening. You can invite others as well or go alone. I myself like to go for an early morning walk (or jog) on the beach when I visit my family during vacations
• Another one in the same category: Do some short exercises when you wake up. When I sleep over I often start the day with some push-ups before going into the shower. It not only helps burn calories but makes you feel more energetic as well. You can also do some yoga or tai-chi exercises or whatever suits you. If you don’t know any easy physical activities you can do at that moment of the day just check YouTube for inspiration.
• Don’t forget about the weight gaining properties of alcohol. Not only foods will make you gain weight during the holidays but alcohol is weight gainer as well. Try to drink a few glasses of water between the beers or wines you are drinking. Once accustomed to this habit it won’t be difficult anymore. I know from experience.

Make sure to exercise the days before the days off. This will help you stay motivated. Once you have exercised and eaten well the past days you are more inclined to keep this good habit up during the vacation. You already feel proud and satisfied about yourself and that feeling sticks with you for a while. This is another reason to cut down your alcohol intake because alcohol makes you forget your good intentions but the day after you are aware of your failure so much the more.

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