Guest Post by Isheeta

You might have gained a few extra pounds during these festivities, and you sure know the coming months aren’t much of a relief either. There are going to be numerous platters of tempting delights, more sweets, more food, more drinks, everything multiplied with the word “more”. And we Indians, when it comes to visiting aunts & cousins, nagging grandmas and maasis__ the needles start spinning on the scales before we even know it.

This is an issue we handle every year end. We indulge, convincing ourselves that there is tomorrow always, but c’mon who are we kidding. Before we know it, it’s Christmas and then New Year’s. Partying, Food, Drinks, and out-of-control Weighing Machines! Here are just a few tips & points to keep in mind to at least Maintain the weight, if not shedding it.

1. Half the Workout is better than No Workout at all!

Try to get at least 20-30 minutes of exercise during the Holidays, weekdays or weekends. Try running on that treadmill that is now a clothes hanger. Or get your act together with a few yoga asanas. Follow suryanamaskaras daily if the time is short, and preparations many and the laze is creeping in. Just get moving! Go for power walks, jog, dance. Anything!

2. Do Not Skip Meals, whatsoever!

Eat your meals. Just because you’d a crappy breakfast this morning, does not mean you eat cake for lunch and let go for the rest of the day. Eat well. Take care that your remaining meals compensate for the crappy breakfast of the morning. Do not skip meals or over-indulge. Moderation is key. Follow portion control, while keeping those taste buds satiated. You had a bad dinner, no problem. Try a fruit salad bowl for breakfast or breakfast smoothies the next morning.

3. Keep Active :

Now is the time to please all the relatives & you folks by keeping on your feet. Run errands, get chores done, decorate dust_ whatever it takes. This with that workout session of the mornings makes a big impact.

4. Drink Plenty of Water :

Yes, now even more. Do not cut down your intake of water or replace them with other liquid drinks & content yourself that you’d the day’s fill. Drink plenty of water to limit your sugary drinks that pack on belly fat. It will also help you eat less & help your body function better.

5. Get Proper Rest :

Get all that rest you probably cringed for during the workdays now. Sleep to keep your metabolism high. This way you will be motivated to workout the next day & not feel lethargic.

6. Choose smaller plates :

We all know the golden rule : the 8/9 inch dinner plate size. Eating on smaller plates has been proven to keep you more satisfied than the customary 12 inch plates now used across restaurants and homes.

7. Never end up at a party hungry :

Snack a bit before going to the next party in tow. If you go hungry, you’ll be grabbing the bread basket before you know it. Munch on a whole grain granola bar, low-fat yogurt, fruit, veggies or nuts. When you arrive at the party, you won’t be jumping at the hors d’oeuvres.

8. Drink Alcohol, but in moderation :

If you are keen on the bar section, go ahead. But keep in mind you are getting empty calories. That will be 7 calories per gram. That’s just 2 short of the 9 calories per gram one gets from Fats. Alcohol also increases the appetite. Remember, moderation is the key.

9. Forgo the sauce :

Every menu plan at parties comes with sauces, ghee-laden curries, buttery dips. Avoid them Go for that side of salad that somehow is left out. Grab the vegetable sides. Pile them, your plate will look as full if it were otherwise laden with the sauces & curries.

10. Trick your mind when it comes to Desserts :

Ah! The gulab jamuns, ras malais, petha, barfis, kaju katlis & the halwas can create a stampede at the dessert corner. If you cannot resist desserts (like I do!), the do not stop that urge. Portion control is your mantra here. Dish out your dessert in smaller bowls. Don’t worry you’ll be as satisfied. I follow a simple rule when it comes to desserts & I have them post every dinner meal : the 4/5 tblsp per serving. That way my bowl is full, and so is my craving satisfied. Add some fruit slices with a gulab jamun. That way your sweet plate won’t look empty, and you are probably not going to pile on more of those tempting sugar-dipped balls in your plate. Know your sugar rush well.

Remember, Holidays & Festivities are a time to enjoy with family and friends and catch up on all the fun times & relaxation for a healthy working mind & body. Enjoy them well, and plan effective strategies to help you achieve your weight loss goals. Maintaining what you started gives you a better reason to celebrate. Your body tells you when it is full. Heed to that, and there should be no problem. Enjoy your holidays. Cheers & Happy Holidays!

Editor’s Note: Amazing tips Isheeta..well comprised..if we follow a few pointers, it goes on a long way for our health.