The end-of-year holidays are coming and, as is often the case, the copious and delicious meals of the Christmas holidays. And although it is normal to enjoy these moments of sharing with family, many people want to limit the weight gain associated with this period without getting frustrated. Here are 5 tips to put in place to limit weight gain during the holidays.
Do not skip meals
It is not uncommon to see people skip a meal to compensate for the festive dinner which is often too rich and copious. And yet it’s a really bad idea! In fact, by skipping a meal, you will consume fewer calories. But you will also arrive at dinner on an empty stomach and (probably) hungry. As a result, you will consume larger proportions and therefore facilitate fat storage. Opt for a light snack and don't skip meals. After all, it's a holiday meal, don't feel guilty and treat yourself!
Don't forget to drink water
During the holidays, we tend to drink a little more alcohol and soda than water. Knowing that 1g of alcohol provides 7 kcal and that 1g of sugar provides 4kcal, liquid calories can increase quickly. A glass of champagne, for example, provides between 70 and 120 calories depending on the type of champagne. To limit the consumption of sugary drinks, don't forget to consume at least 1.5L of water during the day. So remember to hydrate well during the evening without forgetting that alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health and that its consumption must be moderate.
Did you know ?
Drinking water before a meal helps fill your stomach and therefore curbs your hunger a little.
Eat slowly
Eating slowly is not a tip specific to end-of-year holiday meals but rather a principle to be implemented daily. Studies have shown that it takes 20 minutes for your brain to receive the satiety signal. Additionally, eating more slowly is extremely beneficial for your gut health. So, don’t hesitate to put down your fork between each bite, chew longer and slow down the pace. Plus, it will make the pleasure of your meal last longer! So to avoid eating more than necessary, take your time.
Maintain regular physical activity
It is true that it is more difficult to find the motivation to exercise during the winter. And this is even more true during the end-of-year holidays. However, practicing physical activity helps limit weight gain. It's normal to eat more than usual at the end of the year so don't forget to exercise. If you are an athlete, maintain your physical activity even if your training frequency decreases. If you are not sporty, perhaps take the opportunity to look into the subject and adopt a light sports routine.
Tips.
If you are not used to exercising, go for a walk for 15-30 minutes after a meal, this helps digestion.
Eat lighter the following days
Even if there is no question of skipping a meal, going on a diet or depriving yourself during the end-of-year holidays, nothing is stopping you from eating lighter after a hearty meal. In this case, opt for a light meal with a Feed bar. Light.
Who is really hungry the day after New Year's Eve anyway? And even if you don't follow these tips during the holidays, there's no need to feel guilty. You will have the opportunity to have a dozen big holiday meals at the end of the year. Considering that a day is made up of 3 meals, there are 1095 meals in a year. 12 meals out of 1095 won't change much.
In summary.
Return to a varied and balanced diet after the holidays as well as regular physical activity. Your slight weight gain will disappear quickly!
