Coming Back From the Holidays
After the holidays, it can be extremely challenging to get back into your usual routine. There’s often a lot of guilt surrounding potential weight gain over the holidays, but within just a few weeks, you can be back to your usual self with the help of the team at Braxton Gilbert Fitness. Let’s take a look at some of our top tips for coming back from the holidays and starting your new year in a positive way.
Adopt a Positive Mindset
The holidays are one of our favorite times of the year. We enjoy spending time with our family and friends and reflecting on the year we’ve all shared together. Even if you’ve gained a little weight at this time, try to think back on the fond memories of your time together. It’s never worth skipping a meal if it means you aren’t spending time with your loved ones. At the start of the new year, try to always adopt a positive mindset and don’t beat yourself up for overeating. It’s a good time to start afresh by following the tips we share below.
Keep Hydrated
A lot of the weight gain people experience over the holidays is in the form of bloating. Keep in mind that it takes consuming a lot of extra calories to gain fat, which you are unlikely to have done in just two or three days of overindulging. For that reason, the start of the year is a great time to up your water intake. This will help to flush out some of the bloating and sodium we are holding onto. You’ll find that when you replace your regular soda or juices with water, you’ll notice that you feel more energetic and quickly shed any excess weight. The next time you feel hungry, drink a glass of water instead of a snack to see if you really are just thirsty. Carry around a large bottle with you throughout the day as well, so you have no excuse not to keep hydrated.
Increase Your Fruit and Vegetable Intake
The holidays are a time we often eat a lot more carbohydrates and bland food. If you’ve been neglecting your fruits and vegetables, it’s time to start filling up on these in January. Each time you prepare a meal, focus on adding some fresh ingredients to the dish. This should start with breakfast and then work through each of the meals. Vegetables are rich in fiber but low in calories, and they’ll leave you feeling full all day before your training session at Braxton Gilbert Fitness. Fruit is a much better option than reaching for a chocolate bar or sugary snack but will still give you that sweet taste you might crave. You’ll notice that you soon reduce your calorie intake when you focus on eating fresh foods, which is the key to shedding any excess pounds you feel you’ve gained over the holidays.
Set Realistic Goals
It can be tempting to start off the new year with ambitious plans for our training sessions. If you are looking to lose weight or get fitter this year, take things slowly at the start of the year. We recommend using the SMART acronym to set and achieve your goals. Don’t be too ambitious about what you want to achieve in just a few short weeks, as you’ll only be left feeling disappointed. Make sure you keep these goals in mind at all times on the days where you are struggling, as they will help you to move forward in every aspect of your life.
Switch to Clean Drinks
A major reason for weight gain during the holidays is an increase in your consumption of alcohol or coffee. When working with any type of trainer, we recommend sticking to water and healthy drinks as much as possible. While it can be tempting to have a treat at the weekend, some people like to start the year off with a month or so of cutting out the drinks they often over consume. It’s up to you if you are up for this challenge, but it’s a good way to get back to drinking coffee or alcohol in moderation.
Create a Workout Schedule
If you’ve decided to work with various personal trainer types this year, it’s time to put together your workout schedule. Don’t say to yourself you’ll train every day if that’s not realistic. Instead, start with two or three days a week at Braxton Gilbert Fitness, and then build up from there if you feel like adding more on. We recommend keeping your training varied so that you don’t become bored of the sessions you attend. Our personal training in Mobile is available for you to start at any time, and it is the perfect tool to start the new year with good intentions.
Focus on Rest
A huge part of looking after ourselves is scheduling enough time for rest. For many people, the holidays are hectic, and they just don’t have enough hours in the day to sleep for seven or eight hours. If you find yourself feeling exhausted at the start of the new year, aim to start getting eight hours of sleep a night. Sleep has a huge impact on our health and diet, as when we are tired, we are more likely to reach for a sugary snack for energy. Focus on rest, and you’ll notice a huge improvement in every area of your life this month.
If you are still feeling guilty from the holidays, just know you are not alone with this thought. By reframing your way of thinking and focusing on the start of the new year, you can ensure you stay on track and make healthy choices moving forward. We recommend working with a personal trainer at Gilbert Fitness for the best results and for additional motivation as we head into the new year. Contact us today for more information and to discuss how our team can help you to get back on track following the holidays.