For sure we ditched our diet over the holidays, but do not fret. Most of us overindulged themselves during a big meal in celebration of the holidays. It is totally fine as we have to give ourselves time for fun and enjoyment too. What’s important is you are very much willing to bounce back and get back on track.
Holidays can really weigh us down. The holidays have brought us some battles which we likely fought a good fight but still gave in and ate a few servings of creamy pasta, pieces of biscuits, a bucket of sweets or dozens of doughnuts or sugar cookies. Now is the perfect time to stop agonizing but instead, start your bounce-back plan.
Get over the guilt. The damage has been done, so whether you took down 3, 5 or 10 cups of Ben and Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie, it won’t matter anymore. Better to just acknowledge and accept that you got off track. Let go and move on.
Banish those unhealthy holiday stash and go grocery shopping. When going to replenish supplies for your pantry, this time, go for the healthier options so you can bounce back to your diet. Make a list, plan your meals and make sure that the menus and recipes should focus on whole, unprocessed foods. Make it colorful by adding more fruits and vegetables. They are rich in fiber which will totally help you cleanse and detox.
Pack your own lunch and snacks. This requires a little thinking ahead and some time. But it is helpful if wanting to stay healthy despite a busy work schedule. Being able to pack a healthy meal will allow you to keep track and ensure the quality of food you are taking each and every day.
Forget about the numbers on the scale, they won’t help. The number on the scale is usually inaccurate and a poor reflection of your body weight if taken after a weekend of heavy meals because of bloating and water retention. So, do not be daunted. Stay away from the scale for a few days as it may cause you some emotional stress.
Stick with a plan and track it. Hold yourself accountable. One of the best ways to do it is to keep a food and exercise log/journal. When you are seeing progress, it keeps you motivated.
Drink more H2O. Water flushes out excess sodium and support optimal metabolism. It helps us quickly de-bloat and it aids in getting things moving in our digestive system to relieve constipation. Hydration is the key to warding off the hungry feeling and is beneficial to our body’s overall health.
Go to bed and get enough sleep. Several studies have shown that sleep disturbances are correlated to weight problems. Lack of sleep also affects our mood, concentration, memory and energy levels. It puts us in a constant search for caffeine or sugar pick-me-ups which will just add few more unnecessary calories in us.
Move. Jump right back to your normal exercise routine, but do not overdo exercise. Doing a killer exercise in the thoughts of burning the extra calories you have gained will not help. It is not the best route and can even lead to burnout and injury.
It takes a village. Get along and spend time with people of the same goals and avoid those who doesn’t buy the idea and will just sabotage your bounce-back plan. You will not find any difficulty sticking to the plan if your household and the people around you are with the same goal. Build a strong support system in your home and family.
Challenge yourself. Bouncing back and getting back on track all depends on you and your determination. Recall that The Battle of the Bulge was won at the margins. So, go for shrewd, small and consistent changes that you will incorporate to your daily routine. Do not wage a mental war with yourself. Just trust the process and say hello to a New You!
