We are in the midst of summer holiday season, which often means days spent lounging next to the BBQ for one of our favorite past times- indulging in yummy food and alcohol. Hot dogs, chips, burgers, beer...there's no better time to indulge in these holiday favorites. Well, except for the downside of the extra weight we may be carrying when all is said and done. But, there are some simple things you can do to minimize the damage while still enjoying your summer. In this months fit bits segment read how to combat holiday weight gain and come back from holidays relaxed and healthy.
Having a Healthier Holiday
Enjoying summertime parties is great, but it pays to be discriminating when hitting the buffet table. It's tempting to eat everything in sight, but you can avoid going overboard by:
· Watch the alcohol. When it's hot outside, there's nothing like a cold beverage to cool you down. But extra alcohol can add more calories to your waistline than you might imagine. It can also dehydrate you, which can be dangerous if it's hot outside. Try to moderate your intake by drinking a glass of water between each drink. I also recommend eating health fats or proteins (no carbs) when enjoying alcohol.
· Eating before the party. Many of us go all day without eating in anticipation of a party, but if you show up starving, you're much more likely to overeat. Eat small, healthy meals before you go so you can make better choices and avoid temptation.
· Filling up on the good stuff first. Before filling up on fattier foods, munch on fruits, vegetables or other healthy choices. You'll eat less of the fatty foods, but you can still enjoy them.
· Staying active. If you're having a picnic or a party, try to plan some activities to get you moving. A pick-up football or basketball game, tossing a frisbee, playing volleyball or swimming are great ways to have fun while moving around.
· Staying away from the buffet table. Once you fill your plate, settle somewhere away from the food. Many of us nibble mindlessly if there's food nearby, so get what you need and give yourself plenty of time to feel full so you don't go back for seconds.
· Having fun. Being choosy doesn't mean you can't have any fun. Holidays are a time to enjoy yourself and by doing so in a reasonable way, you can make your holiday guilt-free.
Staying Active throughout the summer
Keeping up with your exercise routine is also essential for managing your weight over the summer but, even if you get off track, there's no need to panic. We all gain weight at times and, if you're careful, you can shave those pounds off in no time. Keeping to your training routine will counter-balance the summertime partying but if you are exercising and still find you've gained a bit of weight, there are some simple things you can do to boost your calorie burn and help get those extra pounds off.
· Add more walking. It may not seem like much, but even an extra 10 minutes a day of walking can help you burn a few more calories and stay more active.
· Eat a little less. Again, it may not seem like much but eating a little less for each meal can also help you shave off some extra pounds without going hungry. Try measuring your food for a few days and loading up on high-fiber fruits and veggies, which helps you stay full while eating fewer calories.
· Add an extra day of exercise. If you're not exercising every day, try adding another workout day to your routine. It doesn't have to be intense, but a little yoga, gardening, walking or cycling is another way to burn som extra calories.
Making small changes each day, whether it's a few more minutes of exercise or fewer bites of lunch or dinner can add up over time, helping you get rid of those extra pounds without having to drastically change what you're doing. So enjoy the summer and stay in shape!
Yours in health,
Nathan
