Christmas is fast approaching, and many people not only tend to spoil their usual diet, but also put on a few extra kilos. According to studies, most people tend to put on extra weight during the holiday season, which begins on Thanksgiving Day and ends with the New Year celebrations. Excessive eating is thought to be the main cause of this extra weight gain, but it’s also due to a lack of physical activity and exercise.
Many people tend to put aside their fitness program during the vacations, because they think they don’t have enough time to work out. And because they feel guilty after the holidays, most gyms and fitness centers are full of new members. Always keep in mind that you can enjoy the vacations and stay fit at the same time. If you want to stay in shape over Christmas and New Year’s, here are our 12 simple and useful tips that might help!
If you want to stay in shape over Christmas and New Year's, here are some useful tips that might help!
Eat before you go out
First of all, it’s best if you eat something before you leave for a visit, a trip or a family meal. By doing so, you won’t be tempted to eat a lot or indulge yourself because you’ve already eaten. Skipping meals isn’t a good idea either, as you’ll be forced to eat more later.
Selecting treats
Make sure you select the treats you eat wisely. Choose something you can only enjoy during the holiday season, not something that’s available all the time.
Avoid skipping meals
Don’t skip meals, especially breakfast! While it may be tempting to skip certain meals, thinking that this will compensate for the treats you ate the night before, don’t do it, as it will only lead to counterproductive results.
Drink in moderation
It’s best to regulate your alcohol intake, as alcohol, cola or other fruit juices will only add calories to those you’ve already consumed!
Keep active
You should continue to do your fitness program whenever possible, and if you can’t, walk more, park your car some distance from the store or take the stairs!
Get out of the house
Make vacations a family affair and plan outdoor activities in which everyone participates. Even a snowball fight in the backyard will burn lots of calories and keep the kids entertained.
Don't skip your workouts
Never forget to do your bodybuilding exercises to maintain the muscle mass you’ve worked hard for. You might be tempted to use light weights and just do cardio, but you can burn just as many calories by lifting weights. And with all those extra stakes you’ve picked up over holiday meals, you might even gain a little extra muscle. And that’s much better than gaining a little extra fat.
Set realistic goals
You need to set realistic exercise goals. Aim for at least half an hour a day and you’ll be very happy when you get there. If you set an hour or more and don’t reach it, you’ll be disappointed.
Treat yourself
Make sure your diet plans are realistic too! If you try to completely deprive yourself of certain foods, you’ll only end up eating more. Don’t hesitate to enjoy the treats you really like, but in small portions.
Drink plenty of water
This way, you can satisfy your appetite while staying hydrated at all times. And you’ll avoid a hangover if you overindulge in alcohol.
Eat less and more often
Spread your meals evenly throughout the day and don’t eat everything at once. Instead of eating two huge meals, eat five smaller ones. Eat dinner earlier and take a walk before going to bed.
Give priority to your workouts
Try to do them early in the morning, while everyone else is still asleep. That way, you’ll also avoid remarks like “Oh, come on! It’s Christmas…”
And that’s it! Twelve simple tips that will not only help you avoid putting on weight during the winter vacations and stay in shape over Christmas, but will also allow you to have fun and spend quality time with your loved ones.
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