Did you know that the average American consumes more than 80 pounds of sugar in a year and a quite significant percentage of this is consumed in November and December?! Sweet treats, fatty appetizers and alcohol – how do you stay away from it when it’s everywhere around you, especially during the holiday season?
Beat holiday weight gain and lower stress level with these five simple tips, so you can enjoy your holidays without guilt.
1. Drink Organic Green Tea to Support Fat Burning
Green tea is filled with antioxidants and it fights the stress that over-consumption of alcohol creates in your body. Research shows that the antioxidants in green tea will help protect your liver from damage by alcohol. Drink organic green tea to minimize the negative effects of fatty foods and alcohol on your body.
- Drink green tea before having a holiday meal, because it supports fat burning (yay!).
- Drink green tea before going to the party where you know you will be drinking alcoholic beverages to protect your liver and prevent hangover.
2. Get Enough Sleep
People that are well rested are happier and leaner people. That is a fact.
Sleep deprivation leads to many hormonal problems, including elevated cortisol levels (stress hormone), lower growth hormone levels (essential for cell renewal), serotonin deficiency (the hormone that contributes to feelings of well-being and happiness) , and lower melatonin levels, which contributes to sleep disorders and sexual dysfunction.
While tired, unhappy and dissatisfied, people tend to eat more calories that often come from fat.
When you are not well rested you don’t want to move, and that essentially leads to less calories burned during your day… You know where that leads, right? Weight gain!
Create new “sleep habits” and “sleep rituals” that will help you establish healthy rest. Instead of stimulating your brain by watching TV or doing work on the computer, listen to relaxing music, practice deep breathing and think happy thoughts before you turn the lights out.
3. Choose Organic Whole Foods
Avoid processed foods in any situation and at all costs.
Processed food is not easily digested, therefore creates heaviness on your digestive system, overloading your liver and other organs, and causing your metabolism to slow down.
Some studies show that eating whole organic foods increases caloric burn by 50% when compared to the same caloric value of the processed foods. Organic foods have more fiber and more quality micro-ingredients that helps taking your body into more productive behaving.
Better metabolism means leaner, better functioning body!
4. Don’t Skip Breakfast
Eat breakfast every day!
Good breakfast keeps you from going into famished state and keeps you from over-eating at events later in the day.
If you are not a “big breakfast” type of person, choose your favorite protein shake, add some organic berries (fresh or frozen) and some good fats like a tablespoon of almond butter or replace water with coconut milk.
5. Opt for Non-Junky Option
Go for the lean protein options, fruit and vegetables and avoid carb-loaded items!
Foods loaded with carbs cause major problems with your blood sugar, making it spike super high and triggering overproduction of insulin, which triggers your body to use up that sugar immediately, which causes your blood sugar to drop to its undesirable low levels, which means putting your body and your mind into sugary foods and carb craving mode, which takes you into the same vicious cycle spinning out of control during holidays!
Try to read that sentence again all in one breath. Struggling, yeah? Because it is a sentence loaded with carbs!
The bottom line is: Good choices, mindfulness and respect towards your body will keep you from gaining unnecessary holiday ponds. You will LOVE how you feel!
Do you have any tips and tricks of your own to help with holiday weight gain?
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