This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Manhattan chapter.
5 Ways To Shed the Extra Turkey Weight
Thanksgiving is a holiday meant for giving thanks for our friends and family. It’s the first time all the college kids come home for break and everyone wants to celebrate with food, drinks and more food. But lets get real; Thanksgiving is all about the food! Although this special holiday, filled with turkey, mashed potatoes and scrumptious desserts, is filled with holiday spirit and family fun, it can also cause those extra, unwanted holiday pounds. Here are five ways to shed the extra turkey weight and get back into a healthy routine, just in time for Christmas and New Years!
- Drink WaterDrinking more water throughout the day seems simple, but adding three to four more glasses of water to your daily routine can make all the difference. Studies show that drinking more water can curb your appetite and cause you to eat less during a meal. Substituting water for sugary, high calorie drinks can cut down your calorie count significantly! So next time you are hungry and craving the left over turkey or a bubbly soda, drink an eight ounce glass of water instead and watch your holiday body transform into the New Years ready body you were hoping for!
- Eat three balanced meals a dayAccording to Jillian Michaels, a popular weight loss specialist and former trainer on the NBC show ‘The Biggest Loser,’ eating three balanced meals a day with one to two snacks in between is the ideal weight loss plan. By planning out your meals and sticking to three balanced meals a day, it is easy to count calories. It is also easier to balance your meals with the right amount of proteins, carbohydrates and vegetables. Eating a snack between lunch and dinner ensures you will not go crazy from being hungry but also will stabilize your blood sugar and manage hunger.
- ExerciseExercise is the obvious and necessary way to achieve your ideal body; however, most people believe that cardio, cardio, and more cardio is the way to weight loss, they are wrong! Although cardio plays a major role in decreasing body fat, weight lifting is imperative! By building muscle, it allows your body to burn more calories during a workout as well as toning and sliming your frame. So next time you are at the gym, hit the weights after you are done on the treadmill!
- Cut out the sweetsDesserts, chocolates, pies, yum, count me in! During the Thanksgiving break, go for it; indulge in all the desserts you want! But once you are back on your daily routine, put down the cookie! By eliminating those extra, fatty sugars from your diet, your calorie count for the day can decrease significantly and put you back on track to achieve your New Years ready body!
- Keep a food diaryBy keeping a food diary you allow yourself to be aware of what you are putting into your body. The diary can be very helpful for planning well-balanced meals and keeping track of your calorie intake.