December month means never ending parties which equals weight gain for most of us. It’s not called the silly season for nothing!
So while you spoil yourself silly, hopping from one party to another at a pace where the line between them becomes a blur, and all other to-do tasks wait on the sidelines – simply forgotten, another thing gets on the back burner too – your health (that gets a beating), and your weight (that goes up steadily).
It’s Christmas and New Years time after all, and parties take priority! Sure we understand. But don’t party hop at the cost of your health, and weight please. Follow these tips for controlled Christmas and New years cheer.
Lets face it - it is alcohol time – and in plenty too!
So get this straight – alcohol (regardless of whether you have it neat, with water, with fizzy drinks or juice) is very dehydrating.
Remember to have at least one extra glass of water for each glass of alcohol. And for the months of December -January eat a salad with at least one main meal of the day (to eat some water and detox your body actively).
You know you have to play hard and party hard. So make sure you rest your body enough. Nights don’t seem to have enough hours? Then steal a power nap in the afternoon for sure.
You know dinner is going to go haywire, so make sure you have a power breakfast and a very sensible lunch. You don’t want aches and pains and cramps (which may happen due to nutrient deficiencies, insufficient calories or simply too much junk, or too little food) spoiling the party, do you.
So control the meals that you can control. Go for quality!
For breakfast go for complex carbohydrates (whole wheat chapattis or bread, wheat dalia or oats), pack in protein punch (with milk and milk products, eggs) and take care of fibre, vitamins and minerals with fruit power (any you fancy).
To stay perky through the day keep lunch protein heavy (broiled chicken breast sandwich and a salad make a perfect menu, with a few dry fruits to munch on, so do veggies rolls with yoghurt).
But if more the merrier is usually your eating mantra, and the buffet spreads always your downfall, then to avoid that infamous bulge and waistline swell, you need to follow some strict steps for ‘party eating’.
Follow this eating plan to avoid an expanded waistline:
Face it – you will eat more than you should – these days. So burn extra calories off consciously - take your dog on a long walk each day, forget the elevator and climb the stairs to office, park far away and walk to the mall, play ball with kids in the park every evening.
Only go to parties where you know you're going to have fun, and like the people. Don't be afraid to say “no” to an invitation that doesn’t sound like fun, unless of course it's an official obligation.
And if you do get stuck in a party like that, leave after a decent time interval. And while you are there don't stand near the bar or buffet table or you’ll end up mindlessly eating or drinking to fight boredom.
Even if you don't love dancing, or think you are the worst dancer of the world, get grooving. It keeps you away from the food, burn a lot of calories and it's hard to drink when you're busting a move.
Remember no one cares how anyone else dances; everyone’s too busy doing their own number on the floor.
(Kavita is a nutritionist, weight management consultant and health writer based in Delhi. She is the author of Don’t Diet! 50 Habits of Thin People (Jaico) and Ultimate Grandmother Hacks: 50 Kickass Traditional Habits for a Fitter You (Rupa).)
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