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I hear it every year. Well, I hear it among people in my age group, at any rate. ;)
"I swear I'm going to lose these last few pounds and look great for the holidays."
Yes, mostly, it's women who say this but there are times when men feel the need to lose during the Thanksgiving/Christmas rush as well. Obviously, it's just because of all the social engagements with friends and family, many of whom you probably only see once a year. It's only natural to want to look your best, as those people will be leaving with a certain impression in their minds, and you won't get another chance to change that impression for a whole year. Of course, you can always use the colder weather as an excuse to bundle up and hide that extra weight, but you know...it's still hard to hide. It can show in your face, for example, and most people can tell when you're trying to hide the bulge.
So, here are just a few simple tips to lose a few pounds and remain lean and mean through the holiday rush. This way, the next time you see that relative or old friend, you'll pray for warmer weather so you can show off a bit.
Use the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator
This may seem like a small thing but it can really be effective. Thing is, you might be in places - stores and malls and the like - where escalators and elevators are common. And while you are indeed walking around more, you should consider adding these mini-workouts to the shopping routine. Not only can it encourage more walking (you may have to look for the stairs, for example), but you have the opportunity to jog or even run up those stairs. And flying up stairs carrying some packages only helps burn a few more calories. ;)
Another little tip for shoppers: Don't drive around for twenty minutes trying to find a closer parking space. Take one of the first ones you see at the rear of the lot and walk. A bit more cardio and you'll probably get inside a lot faster than if you crawled around looking for that dream spot near the door.
FIGHT the lethargy and stress
Colder weather tends to make people slow down. It's like they become cold-blooded for the first part of the fall, as if their bodies still can't believe summer is over. They just move slower, act slower, and in general become more lethargic and apathetic. It's so much easier to collapse onto the couch after a day's work when you know it's cold and windy outside, and on top of which, you might eat more than normal, too. The body does tend to call for a bit more during colder weather (even when you really don't need it), so it's all too easy to give in. The added stress of the holidays doesn't help much, either.
The key is to remain as active as possible, from the time you get up to the time you go to bed. I'm not saying you shouldn't ever watch TV and curl up in front of a roaring fire. I'm just saying you should be very conscious of the factors working against you; the more aware you are, the more likely you are to combat them. Gyms are heated, you know. :P
Buy the holiday outfit you INTEND to fit into
Okay, so you're not quite there yet. You want to weigh a certain amount or you want to be a certain size, and that big holiday party is just six weeks away. Clearly, if you've got to lose fifty pounds or something, this tip won't really work for you (though it can still work in the long run). But it's great for the incentive-driven individuals:
Go buy something you really love but can't quite fit into. It's currently a little too small. Hang this somewhere in your home where you'll see it every day. No, not in your bedroom; you're in and out too quickly and it's not in front of you when you leave or arrive. Put it somewhere really conspicuous so it's always right in your face; this little reminder can go a long way. Besides, if you really love what you bought, you're all the more driven to fit into it, regardless of what other people think.
Balance out the oncoming calorie hordes
You just know you're going to overindulge at this party or that family gathering or this friendly get-together. You know holiday foods aren't exactly known for being light and healthy. You know you've got a sweet tooth and the endless flood of candy and chocolate and other desserts never seems to stop until January 2.
Okay, well, knowing all this, you need to balance it out. Simply eat a little less and a little better on a daily basis between now and the end of the year. If you normally have a bagel with cream cheese in the morning, substitute some granola or a piece of fruit. If you typically get take-out (no matter what it is, it's almost never very good for you) two or three times a week, do it only once. You might also want to consider cutting out all desserts in your daily routine, as you know full well you'll get plenty of sweets at those parties and gatherings.
These are just a few simple ways to be the guy or girl who makes everyone jealous around the holidays. You know, as opposed to the one that makes people whisper, "gee, s/he gained a little weight in the past year..." ;)
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