Everyone is wondering what the most effective way is to lose
weight. It does not seem to matter if we are short or tall, it seems like
every year, we are trying to shed holiday pounds. However, dieting isn't
a one size fits all proposition. The fact of the matter is that almost all of
us will put on upwards of five (5) pounds over the holidays - this is typically
the result of more get-togethers with friends, co-workers, and family - it's
almost inevitable.
If you are preparing to fight with losing those holiday
pounds, do not to fall prey to the ads you're seeing all over television for
"quick fix" drugs, juices or diets. No amount of drugging or starving
yourself is going to help you lose weight in a meaningful, sustainable way.
- Control
your eating - everyone can attest that it is not that easy. Do
yourself a favor - post a white board or other reusable board in your
kitchen. Every time you take something out of the cupboard, or the
refrigerator mark it down on your white board. At the end of the day take
your list and check out the caloric intake of everything you ate for that
day! You may find that you are eating far more than you realize! Keeping a
food diary (of some sort) can help you identify your trigger points as
well. Chances are you may be able to skip something that is adding useless
calories without feeling hungry.
- Don't
skip breakfast - You may that if you're trying to control your
eating that skipping a meal is one of the most effective ways to help you
curb your food intake right? Time and time again, the notion that skipping
breakfast helps you lose weight has been proven wrong. Skipping
breakfast typically will result in a crash in your already low blood sugar
(since you haven't eaten in at least 8 hours) and you're going to (1) eat
something you don't want just to put something in your stomach (2) eat
more than you really need.
- Drink
water - Drinking water helps you feel full (and is good for you
in other ways) so you will want to eat less. Plan on at least 4-eight-ounce
glasses of water daily. If you find this difficult try 8 four-ounce
glasses (which for many can be more palatable).
- Exercise -
Don't overlook the simplicity of exercise - you don't need to run a
marathon every day to help you maintain a slim, trim figure. Get out of
the house and go for a walk - even around the block. If need be do it two
or three times a day. Short walks can not only help you feel better, but
they'll also help you keep those extra holiday pounds off.
- Simple
things - If you drink coffee or tea with sugar and cream,
consider switching to a sugar substitute with lower (or no) calories and a
non-dairy creamer with low fat and cholesterol. This can be a major factor
for those who have a multiple cup per day habit!
Another common culprit to losing weight is soft drinks.
You'd be amazed at how quickly the calories mount up when you're
drinking soft drinks (including tonic water). While sugar free soft drinks can
help your waistline, be sure to check for sodium content which could cause
water retention. Retaining fluids can add a few extra pounds.
Losing a few pounds is much harder than putting them
on. While the threat of gaining a few extra holiday pounds does not
always curb our desire to eat, using common sense we can avoid putting on too
much weight. Using these tips in conjunction with a sensible diet can
help you lose those extra holiday pounds. Before you let the holiday battle of
the bulge result in pounds that keep adding up, learn how to shed your holiday
pounds.
