Five Simple Steps To Staying In Shape During The Holiday Season

Staying in Shape During the Holidays

Most gyms experience a boost of subscriptions in the months before and after the holiday season, especially at the New Year. While it’s true that it’s important to stay fit throughout the year, the Christmas holidays have the power to undermine all of your weight loss efforts. But staying in shape during the holidays doesn’t have to be daunting, and keeping temptation at bay can become less of a challenge. Follow these five simple steps to maintain your weight without saying no to an extra piece of cake.

Activate Your Metabolism

One of the main mistakes made during the holiday season is to skip meals in the belief that it will help you stay fit after gorging at a family dinner. But you won’t stay fit for too long without an active metabolism. The simplest way to keep your metabolism active is by eating all meals, especially breakfast. Eat small meals throughout the day and make sure to always have a balance between carbs and proteins.

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Pay Attention To Quantities

Obviously, the quality of the food you eat is important, but when it comes to the holidays, there’s no chance of staying in shape during the holidays without watching the amount you eat. While you shouldn’t skip meals, you should pay attention to eating smaller portions. As a general rule, try to eat more at breakfast and limit the quantities during lunch and dinner. Make exceptions for meals with the family once a week and for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners as well as a New Year’s party. Treating yourself every once in a while will make you feel like you’re having the most of your holidays while still taking care of your health and well-being.

More water, less sugary drinks

We all love a glass of sparkling prosecco but remember that drinks are your enemy during this time of the year. This applies to alcohol, sodas, and especially juices. Even if you’re watching your food consumption, you can drink hundreds, even thousands of calories throughout the night without realizing it. This doesn’t mean you can’t drink the occasional glass of coke or champagne, just make sure to limit your intake to about two or three. If you’re missing the carbonation, try drinking fizzy water instead of tap water.

Don’t Forget The Physical Activity

No, we’re not saying you have to go to the gym every day you could be spending with your family. But there are many activities you can engage in to stay in shape during the holiday season. Go for a walk with your dog, a brisk run, or a bike ride around the park. If the weather’s still nice, try hiking with the family and enjoy the colors of the leaves. If it’s already snowy, try your hand at skiing or snowboarding. There are tons of ways to stay in shape and spend time with your family at the same time!

After The Holidays…

After an abundant lunch or dinner, don’t skip meals, remember to drink plenty of water, keep your meals light, and choose broths and soups if you can. Make sure to pack your fridge full of healthy options before the big feast, that way you’ll have more options other than the leftovers. However, you can still turn the leftovers into healthier dishes, like a delicious veggie and chicken soup from the chicken carcass. Donate the extra food to a shelter or give it away to a friend or neighbor.