Beat the Christmas Bulge!

16-12-09

By Ian Piggott

Beat the Christmas Bulge!

How with all the luxurious foods on offer at the festive season can you still stay trim or on track with your weight loss programme?

I know that it can be hard and very tempting to over-indulge at this time of year so we must remember that we can say no. But you know what sometime, it, is, too hard and we cave, and eat some very, very, nice sweets and chocolates.

Should we feel guilty afterwards? No! Is the simply answer and why should you its Christmas it is good to take a break from your routine from time to time

So often trainers make it to hard for people to enjoy the holiday periods and yes I am guilty of this myself. But what you come to realise is it makes sense when you look at the science of it

Every time we eat we get a metabolic increase, if we are eating every few hours on a strict and structured nutritional program this will be helping to improve our metabolism along with our workouts. Cheat days are recommended to help give an influx or larger amount of calories to jolt your metabolism into working harder and using more energy.

Why can’t this be Christmas??.
As long as we are sensible about what we eat and how much we can have our cheat day enjoy Christmas eat well and enjoy the treats…

Right?.

So here are my top tips to help you beat the Christmas bulge yet still enjoy the fun and treat yourself.

1. At the main event of the day Christmas dinner watch your portion size; don’t stack your plate 4ft high with potatoes, gravy, and pigs in blankets. Opt. for lots of veggies and meat with a small side of the potatoes and pigs in blankets and just the smallest of gravy servings if any at all.

2. At the evening buffet, take on the cold cuts of meats and plenty of salads this will help you feel fuller and will give you only a small amount of room for the naughty treats, trifle, cakes, mince pies etc.

3. Limit your calorie containing drinks such as juices beers wines, soft drinks. Reach for the diet drinks and low cal beers if you do want to treat yourself and don’t really want water.

4. Snack on light options or mixed nuts/healthy snacks in-between meals and at night rather than all the sweets and chocs to save crashing you metabolism with all the sugar.

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