"EITHER HE HIRES HIMSELF A TRAINER NEXT YEAR, OR I QUIT!!!" |
Just what is it about the winter holidays that causes so many of us who celebrate in the Judeo-Christian traditions to enter a consumptive frenzy? Are we powerless to stop this annual, predictable ballooning of our beltlines (not to mention our credit card balances)?
Well, there's good news and bad news about holiday weight gain. First, the good - we typically don't gain as much as we think, according to this study from The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The research found that Americans typically gain "only" one pound during the feasting frenzy spanning Thanksgiving Day through New Year's. The study goes on to say, however, that the results "suggest" these 1-pound increases add up over the years, until a person wakes up one day to the realization, "Damn I'M BIG!!!
It's like a cruel twist on the idea of compound interest.
So we offer the following simple but powerful techniques to keep the pounds (or pound, singular, as it were) at bay during the holidays…
Stay alert, stay conscious
Avoid defaulting to "eating auto-pilot." Make it so that each thing that goes into your mouth is the result of a conscious decision. Say "when" on the alcohol early or ditch it altogether, as booze obliterates willpower. Not preaching or anything, it's just a simple matter of, do you want results or not?Picture this:
You're at a swanky holiday party; a server comes by with a tray of piggishly delish desserts. You ate earlier and therefore aren't exactly starving. Everyone else is wolfing them down. Before you snatch from the tray, ask one simple question: "Is this putting me closer to my goal or putting me further away from it?" And be honest! Do you follow the crowd, or do you stick to your vision?
Stay hydrated.
As you know, drinking the recommended amount of water per day (eight 8 oz. glasses - minimum), will keep you feeling fuller and more energized. Just because it may be cold outside where you are, doesn't mean you no longer need to drink copiously. You must. (And if anyone harps on you for runnin' to the loo too much… well, sneak their wine glass into the rest room on your next visit and… who said that?! I didn't say that!)Stay on track
Or at least parallel to it. We're all insanely more busy than usual around this time of year, leaving less and less time for exercise. Between holiday shopping, picking up the slack of vacationing co-workers, honoring commitments to all the party hosts hither and yon - with all THAT to deal with, taking care of YOU often takes a back seat.Here's a novel idea: Take control. Feel OK with saying 'no,' or maybe a polite 'no thanks,' to a few invitations. Sure we all want to share the joy and camaraderie of friends, we want to show our gratitude at being invited, we want to …not be staring at those extra pounds of indiscretion when we wake up, perhaps with a five-alarm hangover, Jan. 1! So continue to exercise, some how, some way, even if it's not at the gym, and know that if you have to skip some social butterflying, it is NOT "being evil" >:-D. This article has some good tips on how to do that.
Recruit friends and family
Often if you explain to folks what you're doing beforehand, they will make efforts to support or accommodate you. They may even want to join you. Honestly, who doesn't want to feel healthier, look sexier and have more money because they don't have to visit the doctor as often or pay for a bunch of drugs.Roll your own
Make your own low-calorie, low-carb, low-glycemic, highly delicious meals and snacks as a contribution at parties, family get-togethers and as an alternative for you to nosh on at home and at work. The list of possibilities is endless. Use your favorite online nutrition superstore or search for "low carb meals" or "low glycemic meals" on Google for some ideas. If you are HOSTING a gathering, how about making a point to encourage guests to bring healthy fare -- or cook your own. What a great example and tone that sets.So there you have it, five simple ways to keep the pounds at bay for the holidays:
Stay alert (Eat consciously and with purpose, not on autopilot)
Drink lots of water.
Stay on track - keep doing some kind of exercise, even if not at your normal frequency/intensity
Get by with a little help from your friends - don't suffer individually in silence, advance together in solidarity
Bring premium fuel for yourself and enough for others to sample - they just might like it!
MuscleFoundry.com wishes you a Happy, Healthy Holiday and encourages you to make this New Year your Best Year yet. Be strong, and live well.
