7 PRACTICAL TIPS TO PREVENT THE FESTIVE PILE ON

One of the most common times people gain signifigant amounts of weight is during the festive season. While embarking on a weight loss mission during a holiday is not realistic, it is very possible to maintain your current weight by keeping a few simple tips in mind:

1. Plan some fitness activity into each day of your holidays e.g. a brisk walk to the shops or after dinner or if your feeling a bit more enthusiastic a 30 minute jog.

2. Pack some healthy snacks when travelling by plane, train or car. Good examples are nuts, fresh fruits, granola bars. Oftentimes, we reach for a double chocolate cookie or a similarly unhealthy treat at the coffee counter if there is no healthy alternative. Instead if you opt to travel prepared, you can whip out your calorie controled treat (discreetly!) and have it with your coffee.

3. Start the day right with a filling healthy breakfast such as oatmeal and berries or a poached egg with wholemeal toast. The mantra start as you mean to go on comes to mind. If you start the day unhealthily, chances are it won't improve as the day progresses.

4. Have a little of what you like for lunch and dinner along with a large side salad.

5. Drink at least 2 litres of water each day. This will prevent you confusing thirst with hunger and help flush out the accumulated toxins in the cells.

6. Limit alcohol to one or two occasions as it is very easy to sip your way to 10 extra lbs over a 3 week period. Alcohol contains 7cals/gram while protein and carbohydrates wiegh in at just 4 cals/gram.

7. Snack on fruit and vegetables. Now I know you are sick of hearing this one but it truely does work. Try to come up with interesting combinations and don't just stick to boring old apples and bananas though these are fine too. How about an apple, 6 raw almonds and a tablespoon of raisins. This is one of my favourite snacks and not a bit boring.

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