If you’re like most people, a combination of too many delicious holiday treats and trying to stay warm during the long winter months results in some unsightly weight gain. Luckily, there are a few easy tips you can follow to help you quickly and healthily shed those extra holiday pounds.

Lift Weights

Whether it’s at the gym or at home, lifting weights is one of the best ways to convert unwanted fat into muscles. Experts recommend using resistance training techniques when it comes to lifting weights, which means that you use gravity and your own body to provide the resistance needed to build up your muscles. Each session will help rev up your metabolism and help you burn calories.

Always start by warming up before performing any exercise. 

Cardio Exercise

Cardio exercise is, at its most basic, the act of getting your heart pumping faster. Depending on your level of physical fitness, you can start with less taxing exercises like swimming or walking, or move up to more intense workouts such as bicycling, running, and callisthenics. 

Experts recommend elevating your heart rate for at least 20 minutes per day. 

Cut Back on the Carbs

While eating zero carbs is not recommended, it is a well-known fact that cutting back on starches, sugars, and carb-heavy foods help you lose fat quickly and easily. Every time you eat carbohydrates, your body has to respond by producing insulin whereas low-carb foods allow your body to work more efficiently.

Most experts recommend keeping your carbohydrate intake to less than 30 grams per day.

Avoid foods like:

• Alcohol
• Pasta
• Bread – especially white, heavily refined flour bread
• Rice – especially white rice
• Potatoes
• Sugar-sweetened drinks
• Smoothies
• Energy bars

Eat More Protein

Protein not only helps you boost your metabolism, but it also helps you feel full for longer. Try to avoid heavily processed meats like sausages, sliced deli meat (with nitrates), and breaded products like fish fingers or chicken nuggets. 

Experts recommend healthy meat choices like:

• Eggs – especially pastured organic eggs.
• Fish and seafood – especially those high in Omega-3 fatty acid.
• Whole cuts of beef, chicken, pork, or lamb.
• Tofu or other soy-based foods

Eat Your Vegetables

No surprise here, but vegetables are good for you. Not only do they help satisfy your cravings by supplying your body with much-needed vitamins and minerals, vegetables also provide plenty of fibre.

Consider these low-carb vegetable foods:

• Broccoli
• Celery
• Cabbage – including sauerkraut and fermented varieties
• Spinach
• Cauliflower
• Kale
• Cucumbers
• Swiss chard
• Bell/green peppers
• Mushrooms
• Garlic
• Onions

Choose Healthy Fats

Despite its name, dietary fat doesn’t actually make you fat. And you need some level of fat in order to maintain a balanced diet. 

Avoid trans fats at all cost, and eat as little fried food as possible. Instead, choose healthy fats such as:

• Olive oil
• Avocados
• Coconut oil
• Butter
• Tallow

Plan Your Meals

Follow the old adage of “Eat like a king in the morning and a pauper in the evening” when it comes to planning your meals. As for choosing what to eat, the basic rule of thumb is to mix one protein with one healthy fat and one-two low-carb vegetables.

Be sure to:

• Eat a high-protein breakfast.
• Drink a glass of water before each meal, including breakfast.
• Make sure you’re getting enough fibre.
• Choose whole foods over processed foods.
• Eat slowly and chew each bite thoroughly.

Last, but definitely not least, be sure to get enough sleep each night! Even if you regularly exercise and eat well, you’ll struggle with weight and other issues if your body isn’t getting enough rest. 

By following these basic guidelines and consulting with your doctor, you’ll find that you’ll be shedding those unwanted holiday pounds in no time flat.

Photo credits: belly, weights, avocado

Author: Sereena S.

Mom of two, wife to one, and a dog lover. Although cats can be okay too, but only sometimes...