It’s time to jump into Christmas!
About 2 months before the silly season, I get the most phone calls, emails and messages on a range of social media platforms. All saying the same thing: “Summer is coming!” “I can’t fit into my pants!” Followed by the same question: “How do I lose the most weight going into the festive season as well as into the new year?” The simple answer to that is: “Summer bodies are made in the winter and it’s an ongoing process.” It’s a lifestyle, my dear. There is no quick way if you want to do it the right and healthy way. At this time of year, there are so many people going on every manner of diet, and that is absolutely devastating to the body. Switching between overeating and crash dieting, something known as “yo-yo dieting”, does the body more harm than good. It increases your bodyfat percentage at the expense of muscle mass and strength, and it also causes fatty liver, high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. The trend towards yo-yo dieting is particularly acute at this time of the year. You are not made to starve your body but rather to nurture it, and always give it the right nutrition and exercise it needs.
Yo-yo dieting also causes serious damage to your metabolism, making you feel sluggish, moody, nauseous and achy. That’s why a healthy lifestyle- a permanent way of living, in other words, is recommended. That way, you lose kilos steadily and progressively over a period of time, and then keep your weight steady daily.
Your body takes up to 6 months to a year to recover from yo-yo dieting. Therefore, if you have started, stop now! Start by not skipping meals, but eating low calorie foods high in valuable nutrients such as soups, eggs, berries, yoghurt, fish, chai seeds and oats. Avoid eating deep fried or pan-fried foods. Cut out added sugars and avoid foods high in simple carbohydrates (white bread, cakes, pastries, white potatoes, white rice), and make sure you increase your water intake to at least 2 litres per day. Make small changes at a time. Your body needs the right nutrition and exercise to function properly. You can’t throw diesel in an unleaded car and expect it to take you from point A to point B. It will break down before it reaches its destination!
Here are a few tips to survive this silly season and come out stronger than ever!
- Drink plenty of water
- Plan your occasions ahead of time
- Plan to eat clean and healthily around your Christmas celebrations
- When eating out, choose the healthy option
- Always have protein with each meal, that will keep you from overindulging
- Plan frequent walks.
- Make sure you get your 8+ hours of sleep at night
- Try to turn off electronic devices an hour before you go sleep.
- Plan an exercise activity for each day.
- Make your exercise regime fun for the whole family
- Do not forget to give yourself some tender loving care. You are worth it!
You are fearless, you are strong and brave! There is nothing that you can’t do. Make this Christmas memorable by making healthy choices. Remember your beautiful body belongs to God first. Honour it so that you may live a long life!
Simone Simon – Owner of Life Long Body