How to Avoid Weight Gain at Christmas (and Still Enjoy Yourself!)
We all want to have fun this festive season, but no-one wants to put on excess weight. Follow the tips below if you want to know how to avoid putting on extra weight, and still enjoy yourself.
Keep in mind the festive season is not a time for drastic measures. Setting a goal of losing a certain number of kg’s over Christmas will only stress you out and rob you of your festive spirit.
Instead, enjoy this special time of year with your little ones. But have an achievable goal in mind, such as to break even. You don’t need to lose weight, but why not aim to prevent gaining any weight. This way, come January and your New Year’s resolutions, you’ll be a lot closer to achieving your end goal.
Here are our top tips on how to enjoy the silly season without tipping the scales.
Start your day off on the right foot
Practise Gratitude. Each morning when you wake up spend 5 minutes thinking about all the things you are grateful for in your life. This will put you in a positive frame of mind and colour your whole day in a happy way.
Practicing Gratitude will help to calm your mind. And when you're in a good state of mind you're more likely to make healthy choices to nourish your body.
Being a mother and having our little ones is such a precious gift which we can all be grateful for.
Eat breakfast
People who don't eat breakfast are generally hungrier later in the day which can cause overeating and weight gain. Breakfast fills you up before you become really hungry, so you’re less likely to just grab whatever foods are nearby when hunger really strikes (for example high energy, high fat foods with added sugars or salt). An In Shape Mummy Health Shake is a quick, easy and healthy option for breakfast.
Eat Mindfully
Chew slowly and savour every bite. When you chew slowly you give your body a chance to let your brain know when you're full.
What to do if you get chocolates as a gift?
If you get chocolates as a gift, re-gift them to someone else! If there are more chocolates already open, make a plan to enjoy a couple - and give the rest to guests to take home to avoid temptation!
Eat before you go out
If you’re going out to a celebration have a healthy snack like a banana before you go so you don't arrive too hungry and want to eat everything in sight.
Watch your drinks
The calories and sugar in drinks can add up quickly. Get some sparkling water with a squeeze of fresh lemon instead of soft drinks, cordial, fruit juice or alcohol. If you’re going to have alcohol, go for gin or vodka with sparkling water and a squeeze of lemon, orange or lime.
Skip the sauces
Creamy or buttery sauces are not a good idea if you want to manage your weight. If you really enjoy them, just add a tiny bit rather than a lot so you don't feel like you are missing out.
Fill up on healthiest options first
Fill up on the healthiest options at the table first like vegetables and fruit before you indulge on the rest. It's a bad idea to still be hungry at dessert time if you want to manage your weight!
Seconds anyone?
Try to avoid having seconds if you can. Eating too much food lead to weight gain. But if you like the act of having seconds, make each plate half the size. That way you can still feel like you're having seconds and won't feel like you're missing out. If you’re having seconds go fill your plate primarily with the healthy stuff.
How about treats?
If you really want that a treat, have it! But just have a smaller portion. Cut yourself a thin slice to minimise the calories. Or share a plate with your partner or kids.
Drink enough water
Did you know our brains can mistake thirst for hunger? Aim to drink 2 litres of water a day to help you avoid overeating. Overeating leads to weight gain. Fill up a 1 litre water bottle or sports bottle and carry it around with you all day. Flavour it by adding in freshly cut up fruit like fresh lemon and orange to make it more exciting. If you're feeling hungry have a glass of water first to make sure you’re not mistaking thirst for hunger. This will help you not to overeat.
Keep moving
Try to get more steps into your day. A daily walk is ideal. Walking not only burns calories, but it releases endorphins ("feel good" chemicals) in your brain. And it helps you make healthy choices - when you feel healthy it makes you want to eat healthy. Each morning when you wake up put your workout clothes on first. This will make you feel more like exercising. Get them ready the night before.
Stay On Track with In Shape Mummy
If you're planning on a big celebration lunch or dinner, enjoy In Shape Mummy Health Shakes for 2 of your other meals in the day to help you reduce your overall calories in the day. This will help you manage your weight.
In Shape Mummy Health Shakes and Snacks are the easiest way to stay on track with your health goals over the festive season. It's all about balance - enjoy your festivities then balance it out by being healthy the rest of the time.
If you do overindulge, remember that it is not the end of the world! You can always get back on track afterwards. If you know you're going to overindulge, make a commitment to yourself beforehand that you're going to manage your weight afterwards. Why not invest in one of our In Shape Mummy Health Shakes and Snacks beforehand? Having that commitment will mean you can indulge yourself without feeling guilty!
Why not invest in one some of our In Shape Mummy Health Shakes and Snacks before hand so you're all set to go? Having that commitment will mean you can indulge yourself without feeling guilty!
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