Yes, Christmas is a time to enjoy yourself but we
shouldn't let this overindulgence ruin your shape. Here are some tips that can help
you enjoy the holiday goodies without putting on a single pound (yes it is
possible) With these steps, you are assured of a guilt-free Christmas and you
would have no problem fitting into your existing wardrobe in the coming year.
First and foremost, never go to a party
hungry; taking this step helps you maintain discipline in the face of
temptation. Never leave your house for a party without taking at least a bowl
of cereal or other nutritious snacks. With this you would not have too much
space in your stomach to stuff in everything you see at the party.
Also, don’t focus on the food, or try not
to, at least. There is so much more to a
party than what is being served. Try to divert your attention from food and
focus on other things like enjoying your friends’ company, or dancing (other
than being fun, it is a brilliant way to burn calories). Just do anything that
would take your eyes off the mountain of delicious food, snacks and drinks.
Don’t forget to outsmart the buffet; when
dinner is served buffet-style, use the smallest plate available and don't stack
your plate with food; limit your helpings to a single story. This way you get
to eat less. Be conscious of what you are eating, how much you are eating, the
food’s flavour, texture and so on. The more you savour your meal, the less
likely you are to overeat -eating slower allows time for the signals from your
stomach to register in your brain that you are full.
Another important tip is to limit alcohol.
We know it’s a party and a time of
celebration but be careful. Alcohol is
extremely high in calories and fat which means it is always going to be
terrible for your waistline.
While there aren't ways to make alcohol
healthy, here are a few tricks to lower your intake. Drink clear spirits like Vodka
with a diet mixer such as lemonade, to lower the amount of alcohol you consume.
Whatever you choose to drink, make sure you take regular breaks by drinking
water. This will help your body break down the alcohol quicker and will stop
you from getting as drunk and saying anything you regret.
Remember to be selective about desserts.
Limit your indulgences to small portions and avoid sampling each dessert on offer.
You know you can’t stop at one bite –
who can? It’s better for you to take a small portion of a single dessert than
piling your plate with several treats you plan to "try."
Finally, a walk will not kill you. Make
this a holiday tradition and go
out for a walk as a family before or after the meal. This will not only benefit
you physically but also puts you in a mindset to be more careful about what you
eat. Eat smart this festive holiday!
Merry Christmas and Happy New year!
