HOW TO BEAT THE FESTIVE SEASON WEIGHT GAIN

How to beat the Festive Season Weight Gain?
It's the time of year we typically consume food that we wouldn't usually, and yes, even we are partial to a mince tart or slice of pudding.
Firstly, be aware that these are calorie dense foods, sending your daily intake into excess.  
Excess calories end up as stored fat, usually around the waistline or muffin top.  You quickly notice that clothes start to feel a little tighter and more uncomfortable.

By all means enjoy the celebrations with family and friends and it's a good for the soul to relax and not be so rigid about your healthy food intake. But return to your usual activity and healthy food as quickly as you can.  You will notice that you become eager to re-establish equilibrium.  New Year's Resolutions tend to be based around health and fitness and this is the reflection of wanting to feel good and look healthy after indulging.

GIVE YOUR LIVER A REST: 
Choose to go without alcohol at least 4-5 days a week for the month of January.  Or stop for the month.

CUT BACK ON SUGAR: 
Take all the obvious sugar out of your diet. Limit yourself to 2 pieces of fruit a day. 
Say no to chocolate, sweets, desserts for the month of January. 

INCREASE VEGETABLES: 
Have a ready supply of fresh vegetables to either make a salad, steam or roast.

LEAN PROTEIN: 
Choose plant protein, fish or chicken for the month. 

DAIRY/NON DAIRY: 
Limit the amount of dairy or non-dairy consumed to one cup a day  eg if you have a latte coffee consider switching to a piccolo.

INCREASE YOUR WATER INTAKE: 
Begin your day with a positive attitude and a large glass of water with freshly squeezed lemon juice of half a lemon.  Aim for 1.5 - 2 Litres of water a day to flush out the cells, rehydrate, improve skin and muscle recovery. Choose plain water not sparkling.

INTERMITTENT FASTING: 
16 hour fasting or 800 calories days will improve liver function and digestion.  
EG stop eating at 6pm and then start at 10am the next day. 

COOK MEALS AT HOME: 
Prepare simple meals without any processed foods.  No cured, smoked, salted meats such as ham/smoked salmon/cold meats.  Use herbs and spices to flavour foods. 

INCREASE YOUR ACTIVITY: 
Sign up for an event or Challenge such as our 5KM A DAY CHALLENGE.  Once you've made the decision signed up to do so, you have committed yourself to the first step in achieving your goal.  
Have a friend or partner join you to help you stick it out on the harder days. 

We are looking forward to seeing you on our Challenge or one of our Challenges throughout the year.

Adele and Lisa xx