
….and so that’s why I’m offering you 9 TIPS TO STAY ON TRACK THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!
1. Eat Before You Go To The Party.
Eat a healthy, balanced meal with protein, carbs and some fat before you head out the door so you don’t arrive hungry …consequently focusing on nothing else but picking at all the yummy food!
2. Alcohol In Moderation
No doubt you’ll be enjoying a few cocktails during the holidays. Keep in mind that alcohol is full of empty calories and sugar. Stay away from the fruity drinks loaded with sugar and, if you do drink, stick to a light schedule of only one or two drinks no more than a few times during this week. It’s better to spread out the drinks over the season than to binge drink all in one night. This is a sure way to pack on the pounds. Alcohol decreases inhibitions ….this will likely cause you to overeat as well!!
3. Cardio Daily
Time is limited so make it simple and make the most of the time you have. If you don’t have time to make it to bootcamp, at least go for a run when you can – 30 minutes of cardio will burn roughly 250 calories and double that for an hour. Check out our holiday schedule in the previous posts.
4. Watch The Sugar!
If there’s one thing to focus getting less of , it’s sugar! This is the most dangerous part of the holiday season. Have sugar-free gum readily available to satisfy the cravings (or in my case…lots of coffee!). What you don’t want is an insulin spike from a lot of sugar, as this will signal your body to store fat and leave you wanting more for days on end. Sugar is the cocaine of the food world. The average American is eating about 22 tsp sugar/day. Sugar is in everything from ketchup to bread, so beware!
5. Train Early.
Get your exercise done and out of the way as soon as possible as it is less likely to get done as the day goes on. I prefer late night sessions on a regular basis, but I know I will be very busy in these upcoming 2 weeks so I need to plan ahead.
6. Start and End your Day with Water.
Drinking water around meals will help to take the edge off your hunger. It will keep your body flushing out all the toxins in the foods and drinks you don’t typically consume.
7. Drink a Meal Everyday!
A liquid meal replacement (protein shake) may help you control your calorie intake on days you want to splurge in the evening. You want a drink that is around 300 calories and is a combination of protein, carbs and healthy fats. You need to feel satisfied. I like to make my own shake with a scoop of whey, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1/2 banana, 1 tbsp peanut or almond butter and 3 ice cubes.
8. Control the Carbs!
Eat carbs strategically over the the holidays. Here it is, cut and dry: control the amount of carbs you eat at one time AND combine your carb with fat and protein. The secret is that its not just the TYPE of carb you eat it’s also amount you eat. This is known as the glycemic load: the portion and size of carbohydrate and its effect on your blood sugar level.
9. Pack in the Protein.
Protein digests very slowly – and even slower when paired with an ultra-slow digesting healthy fat (avocado, chia, flax, olive oil) and a complex carb. Proteins will help you feel more satisfied, especially if your consuming lower carbs by day. Don’t forget to add protein to your breakfast every day. A balanced meal to start your day is the best way to set yourself up for an energized and satisfied day ahead. Try a hot bowl of oatmeal or quinoa cereal with berries, flax seed and almond milk and a side of egg whites. Mmmmm! (I usually throw my egg whites right in!)
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THE WORKOUT ON DEC 29TH IS NOW FULL! I will post the names of the participants in tomorrow’s news.
I promise this one is a killer!
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Excited for tomorrow’s party!! Please RSVP by signing the guest list. See you all soon and keep training hard!
YOUR BOOTCAMP COACHES!