Christmas is a renowned for good times, fun, family and friends – and unfortunately weight gain too due to all the food and drink regularly on offer. It is common for most people to overeat at Christmas and then on Jan 1 get on the weight loss bandwagon to try and shed the weight they have gained over the festive period.
But what about when you are already on the weight loss campaign and have already done a fantastic job over the previous weeks and months of losing your baby weight and then over indulge at Christmas which sets you back another 2-3 kilos – or worse? Not such a great Christmas present I think you will agree!
So this Christmas you have come so far with your losing your baby weight loss campaign Lose Baby Weight wanted to give you as much ammunition and support as possible for you to keep that weight off over Christmas and not let you undo all the good work and results you have already achieved.
So as much as weight loss is a very tough goal to set over Christmas – the primary goal that we are setting for you all is to maintain your weight so that you can still have some indulgences but with some strict rules in place so that things don’t spiral out of control and you don’t start piling on those dreaded kilos that you have already kissed goodbye.
The Christmas Survival Plan will cover the following;
So let’s get into it……………
We are surrounded by food and drink over the Christmas period so if we are going to see off any weight gain we need to plan and be prepared for all of those moments of temptation. Firstly – it is worth noting that not all foods at Christmas are unhealthy and there is usually a healthy and low fat alternative to every Christmas traditional food.
Secondly it is worth being realistic and accepting that it will be hard for you to lose weight over Christmas but with some planning and preparation maintaining your weight and your current weight loss will be easy to do.
We suggest starting your day off every day over Christmas with your Lose Baby Weight nutritional smoothie. And as per usual bulk this up with fruit, oats, ice and milk. This will insure that you are getting all the nutrients you need for your breakfast and will keep you going until lunch.
This will also help to maintain your weight as by having this healthy breakfast you will not be consuming excessive calories or fat and as it is breakfast time you will be less likely to be faced with all of the temptations and family occasions that you will encounter during the rest of the day.
We also suggest that you continue to drink your green tea during the say as well as your 1.5 litres of water – preferably iced. Snacking is common over Christmas and maintaining your weight will be all about making good snacking choices – here are some good ones over bad ones plus some other food tips!
Being on a diet or monitoring your weight does not mean all enjoyable foods are out and it is very possible to make all the treats that are a normal part of Christmas festivities very healthy and not have you gain weight. Also – all weight loss foods are not horrible – infact most are delicious and when you find out what you like you can have a field day
Here are some that come to mind:
1. That Christmas turkey is not off the menu in most cases; lean white meat is high in protein and very lean.
2. All the vegetables that go with the turkey can be delicious if you buy good quality and cook them well (i.e. don’t over cook them or drench them in oil if roasting). Why not set your mind on organic vegetables only for the holiday season? That may seem an indulgence cost wise, but better to indulge in that than junk foods.
3. Fresh salmon is great for Christmas and provided you eat it in moderation it won’t hinder your weight loss. And if you want to try something different go for trout which has less calories and fat than salmon but the same goodness
4. Experiment with your own salad dressings, and try different olive oils. Salads with a difference can be healthy but still a treat.
5. Aim to have plenty of fruits around the house during the Christmas period. Want to indulge as it’s Christmas? What about your favourite fruits dipped into a bit of melted dark chocolate?
6. There are a variety of nuts which make healthy and tasty snacks. Keep a stash of unsalted nuts in the cupboard – but remember they are high in fat so limit your consumption to a few at a time
With all the extra food and drink on offer over Christmas it is essential to build as much exercise into your daily routine as possible to ensure that the energy output out is higher than the energy in from the food and drink we are eating. But as per the Lose Baby Weight philosophy this does not have to mean daily gym sessions and with the summer weather being so great and most of us having family and friends around the summer and Christmas period lends itself well to doing an increased amount of exercise.
Exercise is the real friend to you during this excessive holiday period, so don’t be tempted to put off your regular exercise until after the holidays if you can help it. I know we all have less time at Christmas but remember even if you only do a percentage of your normal exercise some is better than none, so do less or shorter sessions rather than knocking them off altogether. You can also throw yourself whole heartedly into the dancing at any parties you attend and work off a few of those calories!
Here are our top ways to get exercise in over the Christmas holidays;
Build walking into your routines. Walking part of the way to the local stores, or taking the dogs on longer walks, walking with the family – all these things can contribute to your weight control, and make you feel better. If you feel better, coupled with your mental strength, keeping your weight down over Christmas will not be as difficult as you might have thought.
Turn a leisurely cruise around the mall into a power-walk and you reap the same fitness benefits you would out on a hiking trail. Hit stores at off hours to avoid crowds (or else treat that zigging and zagging you’re doing as extra aerobic output). And don’t forget to take the stairs and park in the far end of the lot. Those extra steps add up too. How about walking a lap around the parking lot before you go home? Extra points if you’re carrying heavy bags!
Treasured rituals are an important part of the holiday season for most families. Add or adapt yours to include fitness! Consider:
An unpredictable, extra-busy schedule can easily derail your usual exercise routines. Try working out early in the morning, before you’re interrupted for the day. Have a backup plan, so that in case you miss your usual exercise routine, you take a bike ride or do an exercise video instead. If you have house guests, invite them to join you on your daily walk or trip to the gym.
For more exercise ideas CLICK HERE
1. Don’t Feel Obligated Being a gracious guest doesn’t mean eating hearty portions of everything that’s offered. Don’t feel the need to eat foods you’d normally avoid, or take seconds, just to please the hostess. Regardless of the occasion, you need to be the one who is in control of what and how much you eat. If you find refusing food awkward – or have a relentless relative who’s always begging you to “Eat! Eat!” – try the broken-record technique: Continue to simply say “No, thank you,” with a smile. It’s impossible for your hostess to argue with a gracious but firm “No,” and if you don’t make complicated excuses, you’re less likely to cave in to pressure.
To prepare your body for the big feast later in the day, you may be tempted to ‘save’ calories by skipping breakfast or other meals – which is not a good idea. While eating every few hours is always important, it’s essential before a holiday party or big dinner because it keeps your metabolism high, allowing your body to continue burning calories, instead of sending you into starvation mode, in which your body hangs on to them.
Eating something beforehand also prevents you from becoming so famished that you devour junk foods at the event. In fact, it might be smart to eat more than you normally would that day. So never go to a party starving, even something small, like a banana or a bowl of cereal, will take the edge off your appetite and allow you to make smarter food choices. And if you’re not sure whether healthy items will be available, suggest to bring a platter of veggies and low-fat dip
Do you find sipping a celebratory drink makes you lose your willpower? You’re not alone. Alcohol tends to lessen your inhibitions, and you may find that you have less control over what you eat. If you must indulge in a holiday cocktail, consider diluting your drink with extra ice, water or seltzer, and alternating each alcoholic beverage with a glass of water in order to keep control of your eating and prevent dehydration. Also, remember to count those liquid calories. A mixed drink, like a daiquiri or margarita, can have 500 calories per glass
Take 30 minutes and go for a walk the morning of your holiday get together. By getting your exercise done early in the day, you are ensuring that you’ll actually do it. And the mood-boosting hormones that are released with exercise provide the added benefit of easing and family holiday stress and making you feel calm
If you work in an office you know that the work place is just going to be full of junk food that ALWAYS seem to make their way into the workplace at Christmas – be prepared for this temptation by always having healthy snacks in your bag or desk so that you can join in the snacking, but in a healthy way.
Then there are the dreaded parties! Don’t worry, you can party and still be good! When it comes to the buffet table, look out for the healthy options, the cooked meats, plain chicken and fish, the salads, fruits etc, I’m not saying that you can’t participate in some of the less healthy options but if you are already filled upon the healthier choices you’ll have a lot less room for the poorer food choices and won’t feel that you are missing out by not eating them
When attending any function over the holidays it is always best if you try to eat well before you go; eat all your normal meals as you would on any day and then you won’t be tempted to eat everything in sight when you get there as you will be pleasantly full already; so many people starve themselves all day because they are saving themselves for the function, so that when they get there they are that hungry they are ready to devour anything, and everything, they see
Present ideas for you!And finally here are a list of present ideas that I recommend you start dropping hints for so that you have all the ammunition possible to lose your baby weight and stay fit and healthy in 2012;
Hopefully this survival guide and tips will help you manage to keep your diet and exercise programme while you still manage to join in and enjoy all the fun of Christmas.
Have a great Christmas!
