Maligayang Pasko naaaaa! But Christmas gain is New Year’s pain!
Puto-bungbong, bibingka, cakes, and lots of sweets are ready to conquer your body. But you can win this…
Starting early is the secret to avoiding the typical 10-pound holiday season accumulation of fat. (Malamang – you didn’t think it was muscle, did you?) Develop a few good habits before the start of Simbang Gabi and you’re likely to start 2018 weighing no more than you did before, maybe even less. Here are 5 tips that will help you through the holidays:
But wait, I’m talking about bad gains here alright? If you can munch on good macronutrients (carbs, proteins, and fats), then go ahead!
- Set a mental limit now on the food items that are your biggest temptation. It’s probably the Sanzrival for me. Chocolate cookies? Make 2 your limit at every holiday affair. Chocolate? Two pieces will probably satisfy your sweet tooth, especially if you eat them slowly, not in one bite. If it will make you feel better, remember that dark chocolate has some beneficial nutrients and antioxidants. If an alcoholic drink makes you put on pounds the previous years, this time ask the host for the smallest glass, and nurse it slowly. It will be easier if you tell yourself that it’s only until the holidays are over. (By then it might just become a good habit.)
- Don’t go out to celebrate on an empty stomach. We always have this mentality of “Syet papagutom ako para marami akong makain mamaya!” Yup, it simply means you’re likely to eat more and drink more and indulge in more of those high-calorie appetizers. Eat a light fruit, say apple, on the way. Or maybe a pack of nuts or almonds.
- When you get to the celebration, don’t hang around the feast table. The closer you are, the more likely that you’ll half-consciously keep reaching for food while you’re in a pleasant conversation. If it’s an unpleasant conversation, you’ll eat even more. Trust me, this is where things go like “O Jeff, kelan mo na balak mag-asawa?“, then *grabs another huge plate of food* Haha!
- Make room on your body and rev up your metabolism. You probably won’t have as much time to exercise when the relatives arrive or you travel to them, so get in a few extra exercise sessions before the feasting begins. You might lose only 3 or 4 pounds in a month or two by exercising a couple more days a week, but if your routine includes resistance exercise (and I really think you should), the added muscle will raise your metabolic rate so that you’ll be burning more calories even while you sleep.
See? You only need to make a few minor adjustments in order to avoid gaining weight at any time of the year. If you can arrive at January 2nd weighing the same, or maybe less, than you did last year, it will give you a boost of confidence that will spill over into everything that you do in the future.
G? Then tweet this now!
[bctt tweet=”I’M IN! Join me in the December #RFChallenge to make Christmas a GAINLESS Holiday!”] |
