Stay ahead of the Holiday Weight Gain
Still working off that binge belly?
As noted in the last post, if you put in the work, you can continue the momentum and progress you’ve been making. Even with all the holiday parties and dinners coming up, you can still lose weight. That’s something to be thankful for! Now, your not gonna wake up tomorrow back in your skinny jeans, but some simple steps and commitments can get you seeing holiday cheer again. You can relax as you put on the ugly christmas sweater for that bar party your friends convinced you to go to, knowing you can indulge.
Change Up Your Exercise
Try A New Gym- Many offer a free first workout. It’s a great way to see if you like the place, and work off that sweet potato casserole. Even better, check out a few and see which one will help you to stick with the New Year’s Resolution you know your gonna make.
Enjoy the Fresh Air- Put on those boots you’ve waited all year to wear. Throw on a flannel, jacket, scarf or whatever you need to stay comfy. Go for a nice, long walk. Take in the sights, listen to the crunching of leaves under foot. Embrace the golden shades the sky takes on in the early evenings. Breath in the cool, crisp fall air you’ve been waiting all year to enjoy. Today is the day to relish in it.
Beautify Your Yard- Here in Florida, its the perfect time to work outside. Finally, we can get stuff done without worrying about heat exhaustion or sweating to death. Maybe where you are the yard work is easy breezy, like raking leaves or tending to the mums. Who knows, with our crazy climate change, you might wake up tomorrow and find yourself shoveling out your driveway!
Ten More Minutes- By simply lengthening your workout, you could crush an additional 100 calories! The hard part is already over! You put on the leggings, lifted the weights, peddled, jogged or whatever it is you do. Ten more minutes is all it takes to make a difference. Just Push Yourself!
80% of weight loss is in the kitchen!
Easy Meal Fixes
Skip the Package– Instead of the sugar-laden instant oatmeal packets, make your own! With a container of plain instant oats, you can mix and match flavors to your hearts content. Grab some freeze dried strawberries or apples, throw in your favorite nuts, whatever! You choose the type of sugar to use, and limit the amount you put in there, and over time, you’ll need less and less for your healthier palate. Oh yeah, make a bunch in those little snack size resealable baggies so you’ve got breakfast on the fly!
Thin Crust Pizza– Let’s face it, Pizza is a guilty pleasure for most of us. Skip the delivery guy and make your own easily on whatever flatbread that fits your eating style. Low carb flats, Gluten-Free, Cauliflour Crust, and more. My favorite is Joeseph’s Lavash, and the whole thing is only 120 calories; about as much as one slice of a traditional crust. Pack tons of veggies and goodies on top, and indulge without the carb overload and belly bloat that usually comes with it.
Skip the Bread- I cannot even begin to describe my love affair with with Italian Hoagies. In fact, I ate one almost every single day in high school. Thank god for that teenage metabolism! I still crave the flavors of Genoa Salami, Ham and Provolone daily, but now I’ve found a way to enjoy them without the guilt. First, I grab a premade sub from the grocery, and a head of romaine hearts. I toss the roll out immediately. Next, I split the cold cuts into 4 portions, and roll them up in the lettuce leaves. Soooo delish!
Baked Egg Cups- These guys are grab and go warriors! I eat them as a quick fix breakfast, office lunch, post workout meal, or late night nosh. Super fast and easy to make, they reheat well and freeze great. They are a staple in my household, and just keeping them on hand assures that we all can eat well without planning ahead. Fix them up anyway you like, and soon you won’t be able to live without them. Check out my Baked Egg Cups Recipe, coming soon.
Crush Sugar Cravings- I call them “Mother Nature’s Cookie Dough” Medjool Dates. The natural sugar in them, combined with a great source of fiber will curb your sweet tooth without causing a huge spike in your blood sugar. Try the ones rolled in coconut flakes, with the bonus healthy fats to keep you satisfied. Just don’t eat the entire package- limit yourself to 2-3 only.