Stay fit after the holiday excess
We’re all guilty of indulging in too much good food over the holidays, because ‘tis the season to be jolly’ and all that. But coming back from a break, we resolutely decide to get more fit. We also fail to remember that by the time the second week rolls around, we’re elbow deep in fast food with no signs of a workout or an exercise regime anywhere on the horizon. Wouldn’t it be nice to have one year where the resolution to stay fit and active is actually met; even if that means eating right and doing those little things that have an overall impact on your health? Here’s what you can do:
1.Go green
It might sound boring, but incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet can have an amazing impact on your health because they’re rich in fibre and have virtually no calories. There are hundreds of recipes on the internet that tell you how to make your vegetables more fun!
2.Stay hydrated
A lot of the times the weight you have gained is simply bloating and one of the easiest ways to deal with that is to drink loads of water and to constantly stay hydrated. It is recommended that you have 8-12 glasses of water a day, but having more than that never hurt anyone. Drinking copious amounts of water also flushes out toxins from your system and increases your metabolic rate. It also means you feel hungry less, which is always a plus!
3.Go for a run
The weather is perfect. It doesn’t get better than this in Dubai when it comes to the outdoors. This is literally the best time of year to include outdoor activities in your fitness routine. If running is not your thing, then fear not, you can simply go for a brisk walk. The idea is to get out and get your body moving!
4.Be smarter about your snacks
Feeling hungry between meals? Help yourself to some snacks, but do not reach out for those cookies or crisps. It’s one of the worst things you can do to yourself. Instead, pre plan your snacks with things like whole wheat crackers, hummus, fruit, kale chips, cauliflower chips, or nuts. Lets get rid of all processed foods!
5.Portion control
Holidays usually mean excessive indulgence, but now is the time to reign it in. It’s important to be mindful of portion size when planning your meals. Use smaller plates or read the recommended serving sizes on recipes and of course, it’s best to use your judgement in these things.
6.Get yourself a healthy buddy
Find a friend who is trying to be fit after the holiday excess as well and team up with them to hold each other accountable. Having a support system when trying to make a lifestyle change helps and ensures that you don’t slip as much as you would if you were going it alone. And even if you do slip, you have someone who is not going to judge you and instead, encourage you to get back on the horse. Motivation is key!
7.Get some sleep
Lack of sleep leads to stress which is directly linked to excessive eating. A lot of people are guilty of eating their feelings when they are stressed, which is completely normal but also very dangerous. The best way to make sure that doesn’t happen is to unplug from the virtual world a few hours before bed. Going to bed at a reasonable hour also means you are not at risk of snacking in the middle of the night. Two birds, one stone!