Thursday, October 30, 2008
Diet & Nutrition
As we enter the holiday season, many of us stress out about gaining excess weight. With all of the delicious meals and family gatherings filled with baked goods, how could one not be tempted? There are many ways to beat the battle of the bulge and even improve your fitness level before the New Year rolls around.
Set Some Fitness Goals and Have a Plan: First and foremost I would recommend that you set fitness goals and stick to a plan. Without goals and a plan to go by it is just too easy to start missing workouts and blowing your healthy lifestyle.
1. Use Moderation When Cheating: Allow yourself to indulge a little here and there, but limit your portions. Far too many of us think "Oh, it's a holiday so I should eat as many treats as I can because once the holiday season is over, I can't have treats anymore!" This is a huge misconception! Why not have a small taste of what you want, and enjoy the time with your family rather than a huge plate of food and a belly ache. Cookies and pies are around 365 days a year, and with planned cheat meals you can enjoy them every week. So don't make the holiday season a reason to ruin your hard earned results.
2. Make Yourself A Goal To Do Something Active Each Day: It might not be your average workout, but try to get out and move for at least 30 minutes. Schedules can be hectic this time of the year, but it’s no excuse to let our health suffer. We don’t stop showering through out the holidays because we’re too busy, so why so we stop our exercise routines?
3. When Short On Time, Emphasize The Weights Training Portion Of Your Workouts: Muscle aids in burning fat, and will help to fight off the extras that you normally don't eat. If you are going to cut the workout short for the day, I would suggest hitting the weights first, even at the expense of cardio. If this is the case, you can use supersets and giant sets to make your weight training workouts more aerobic in nature.
4. Eat A Balance Of Macronutrients: Do not cut out any food groups as you will most likely be hungry and eat foods that your body doesn't really need. If you are hungry, fill up on protein and veggies as protein increases your metabolism by up to 20% and veggies take more calories to digest than what they contain.
5. Limit Your Alcohol Consumption: you are better off eating an extra cookie than consuming numerous cocktails. Excess alcohol just contributes too much to fat gain.
6. Drink Plenty Of Water: Many times we will overeat because we are dehydrated and thirsty. Therefore, make sure that your water intake is adequate. Besides, water also gives you a sense of fullness so if properly hydrated you will be consuming less food.
Decide today that you want to make the best out of this holiday season. Don't wait until January 1st to set your New Year's Resolution; set it today. You will enter 2009 feeling great and will be able to focus on a different goal than 90 percent of the population. You only live once, so enjoy what you love in moderation. Make the holiday season about being with your loved ones rather than feeling guilty about eating too much. Stay active, even if it is not your normal routine, and you will maintain or progress even during this time of year.
Set your goals and enjoy the season!