Many of us look forward to the holiday season, the beautiful lights, the decorations, holiday cocktails, delicious food and added pounds. If you want to be sure that you fit into your holiday outfit this year, make an effort to drop a few pounds before the holiday eating season begins. With some hard work, commitment and a few easy tricks, you can enter the holidays looking more trim and slim, and not feel quite so bad about indulging in a cookie here or there.
Step 1
Set goals for yourself. Figure out how many pounds you'd like to lose (and be realistic about what's feasible). Then, consider the time frame in which you'd like to do it--is it by your company holiday party or before your family's get-together? Then, figure out how many pounds per week you'll need to lose to meet your goal.
Step 2
Calculate how many calories you need to cut out. Whether you are exercising or just dieting, you have to make sure that your body is consuming fewer calories than it's using--it's the only way to lose weight. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, one pound is equal to 3,500 calories. So if you want to lose one pound a week, you need to have a total calorie deficit of 3,500 calories--two pounds a week is 7,000 calories, and so on. To lose one pound a week means cutting out or burning off 500 calories per day.
Step 3
Cut back on calories. You can start by restricting your calorie intake, but don't starve yourself. Choose sensible meals and foods; lots of lean protein like skinless chicken, whole-grain carbohydrates and as many fruits and vegetables as you can fit in. These low-calorie foods will fill you up and keep you from feeling deprived and hungry while not breaking your calorie bank. Cut out high-calorie beverages (alcohol, sodas, coffee with cream and sugar) and salty or sweet snacks.
Step 4
Don't let yourself get too hungry. There are too many temptations around during the holiday pre-season, and if you're starving because of a strict diet, the temptation may be too much to bear. When you're hungry, eat--reach for a piece of fruit or a handful of fat-free pretzels. Recognize the urge to eat something early, before you become ravenous, and reach for a healthy, low-calorie treat.
Step 5
Burn off the pounds. If you really want to shed pounds before the holidays arrive, the best bet is to turn to exercise. Hit your gym, the treadmill in your house or go for a run outside and enjoy the decorations and lights. Exercise will help you burn calories to get more of a deficit--and lose more weight. Plus, exercising will help you look more fit and toned through the holidays in addition to being slimmer.
Member Comments