It’s that time of year when those extra calories are lurking in that second helping of pigs in blankets. Even those with superhuman willpower find the temptation of the Christmas holiday binge almost impossible to resist. You’ve probably already had a whole term of overloading on sugar filled alcohol, racking up the Deliveroo bills and indulging in an obligatory Maccies after a long night out. Now Christmas is the day where you actually get to have that decent home-cooked meal you’ve been craving for all semester. It’s fair to say you’ve probably had a calorie fest over the last few months and with the dread of returning to January exams, there will be no holding back over Christmas. Unfortunately, the holiday pounds don’t disappear as quickly as the decorations (or as quickly as the shoes in Topshop’s boxing day sale). However, no one wants to hear the word ‘diet’ over Christmas – it’s practically blasphemy. But there are certain tricks and tips that can help you to control your weight over the holidays. This isn’t to say that you WON’T put on any weight, but it can help you limit your weight gain and perhaps you won’t feel like you are waddling into exam halls in January.
Walk it off
Let’s face it, you’re probably not gonna be in the mood to jog or do some Mo Farah style long distance running. It’s way too cold and your food baby will render it practically impossible to run without feeling sick. However, physical exercise doesn’t always have to be cardio centred. According to Alyssa Shaffer, walking is the new running. Scientists predict that if you add 30 minutes of brisk walking to your daily routine, you could burn about 150 more calories a day. It may not seem like much but if you walk regularly over the holidays it will help aid digestion and keep you out of the house – away from the left over Christmas cake!
Beware of the booze
Don’t panic! I’m not going to tell you to stay sober over the holidays! Although you gotta be wise about what alcohol you choose to consume. Don’t be fooled by the fact that it’s liquid – it does contain calories and plenty of them! Prosecco, champagne, baileys, eggnog – all your festive classics contain high amounts of sugar and are laden with calories. My advice would be to stick to distilled alcohol such as gin and vodka. They contain far less calories and are much lower in sugars. Plus, they will probably work out cheaper and let’s face it, we’re students – we’re not going to say no to a classic vodka mixer.
Drink your green tea
This remedy is truly magical – it’s basically a Christmas present from nature herself. There are many health benefits of drinking green tea, one of which is that it can help you control your weight naturally. According to leading researchers, green tea appear to raise metabolic rates and speed up fat oxidation. Plus it can help to satisfy your appetite so you aren’t left wanting second helpings.
Pile up on the veggies
There will be no shortage of veg around your table on Christmas day, so make sure you take full advantage and pile that plate high with greens. It’s a well-known fact that adding veg to your meals will increase your fiber intake and help you feel fuller.
Keep yourself hydrated
Fitness guru and all round gym god, the body coach, formally known as Joe Wicks believes that many of us make the mistake of not staying hydrated throughout the day. Dehydration can often be mistaken for hunger. So make sure you keep filling up that water bottle and when you’re reaching for the mince pies, pause and ask yourself whether you really are hungry or are you just in need of hydration.
Get moving
Try and make everything as energetic and active as possible. Turn up the Michael Bublé record, get your Xmas decs down and go wild!
But
Above all, don’t deprive yourself this Christmas! Enjoy your food and have a drink because I think it’s fair to say that after a term of eating pasta pesto and making the library your second home, you definitely deserve it! Just remember to eat in moderation and keep yourself active!
Edited by Jenine Tudtud
Sources:
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http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/expert-answers/w…
http://www.prevention.com/fitness/fitness-tips/lose-your-belly-fat-8-wee…
http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/19991128/green-tea-boosts-metabolism-prot…
http://greatist.com/health/ways-to-avoid-holiday-weight-gain
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Joe Wicks, Lean in 15; The Shift Plan, (London, 2015)