Essentials Ways to Stay in Shape During the Holidays

During holidays, the temptations to skip the gym and eat healthy diet become imminent across every continent. It is a common problem experienced by almost every person. This is from the fact that we tend to stay indoors and hardly go out for outdoor sporting events - the weather simply can't allow. Combined with stress and anxiety, it is difficult to avoid snacking at home or in the office. On holidays, you receive a number of invitations for parties and cocktails. This robs you the time you spend on your own in the gym, gardening or walking. As a result, you gain weight despite of many attempts to stick within the healthy weight range.

Common Blunders to Avoid

Pitfalls that you might experience over the holidays include:

• Friends or family gatherings
• Work potlucks and holiday parties
• Your partner's office party
• Counter snacks found in almost every office

Try as much as you can to avoid such enticing delectable high fattening meals regardless of the pressure you get from friends or family members. None or very few will lend a helping hand when you battle with extra weight after the holidays are gone.

Manage Your Food Intake

It may sound embarrassing to let down an offer made by your mum during a home party but it worth the initiative. Make them understand why you are resisting. Else, you can make special arrangements in advance so that there is a provision of low-calorie servings. Learn to fight with holiday stresses and emotions that can compel you to seek some resort in high-calorie snacks or diets. Opt for light low-calorie meals such as veggies, whole grains, fruits, and green leafy foodies. For cocktails, go for brands that are energy-free or sugar-free. It's difficult to avoid such occasions but what gets down your throat should go hand in hand with your weight loss plan.

Avert Depression

You probably expect too much during holidays. According to statistics, holidays increase the risk of stress which often triggers depression. Depression and stress are byproducts of greater prospects that you usually have after the holidays are over. Holidays bring out blues in many people especially the ones who have lost a loved one, separated from friend, or family members. Once the holiday is over, you'd probably realize that you've spent too much money on gifts and efforts to meet friends. This only elevates your stress hormone (cortisols) levels and as a result, you end up reaching for glycemic carbs and high fattening foods.

Tips to Get You Through Holidays

Don't live up with the holiday stress, take action if the need arise. Try the following:

• Move away from gatherings when stress strikes instead of allowing tension to rise. Aim to ovoid the buildup of stress.


• Plan your chores in a systematic manner: Start with the most important or compelling ones and make sure all tasks have been completed in time. Don't start on tasks that are difficult to complete. Seek a helping hand when the need arise.


• Relax if you feel the urge: Taking breaks amidst chores is important in getting things done in the right way. You will hardly be productive if you continue with tasks when you are tired physically or mentally.


• Make time for workouts: Exercise is a key to healthy life. Avoid the couch and instead go for a brisk walks. Don't overeat or drink excessively even if time is on your side. With exercise, you will reduce stress build up and keep you away from holiday junk food temptations.


• Eat smaller pieces of portion at parties: Even if you get tempted to consume "less healthy" foods, don't fill up your plates with such servings. Consume plenty of fiber-rich and low-calorie foods prior to the junk type. This will give a feeling of satisfaction and avert the craving for snacking or wrong food choices.


• Take water instead of beer: Being in the company of friends at cocktails is fun most times. The main challenge is avoiding their offers and temptations to have a sip. Surprisingly, you will be thrilled by the entertainment of others if you opt to stay sober.


• Take breaks during holiday parties: Mingle with friends and strangers, go out and have a walk, or talk more with your friends. This will burn more calories and consume much time that would have been spent binging.


• Share your food gifts or give them to your friends: The givers might get annoyed if they know, but it is ideal for your health. If you are invited for tasty treats, do it in moderation. Get rid of leftovers without the negative feeling that you should have taken them instead.