Shed those festive kilos right away!

If you are guilty of overindulging this December, here are some tips to cut the festival flab.
Shed those festive kilos right away!

KOCHI: It was not just 2016 that bade adieu, but also days of non-stop partying and reckless indulgence. It’s the time of the year when fitness tops everyone’s wishlist and we are all geared up to jump into a fresh new regimen. If you are guilty of overeating and packing on pounds this December, here are some tips to cut the festival flab and get back in shape.

No fad diets
Don’t set unrealistic goals or follow fad diets, as quick-fixes can cause a variety of health issues in the long run. You can’t deny nutrients to your body and go on fasting mode all of a sudden. Go for a balanced diet based on your age, body type and activity level. If you have a very sedentary lifestyle with little or nil physical activity, you should be very careful about your calorie intake. Starving can always lead to overeating which in effect wrecks your metabolic balance. Start thinking in terms of quantity, as moderation is the keyword when you are trying to lose weight. Have small, healthy meals spread out at intervals and stick to low-carb options.

Bye bye junk

We all like those greasy sugary bites filled with calories and almost no nutrients. It’s not easy to resist cravings but you can always handle the bouts tactfully. If you can survive the first 15 minutes, you can easily fight the urge to binge. And always remember that junk doesn’t mean just donuts and French fries, but an array of products with notorious and unhealthy ingredients. You will have to stay away from diet colas to cookies and white breads to samosas. Anything high on sugar, refined grains, salt and fat should be avoided. The reason you quickly gained that extra kilos is the festival menu, the usual fat-and-sugar loaded delicacies that were served at every occasion. The best way to shed that sneaky flab is to stay completely off junk, at least for a month.

Switch to wiser options

Stop taking multiple chai breaks and drink oodles of water. Juices with added sugar, aerated drinks and many other seemingly-safe beverages can stand in the way of your fitness. Snacking must be a part of your routine, but skip those calorie-rich options. Always keep a box of cut fruits and veggies ready. You can also snack on dry fruits, but go for very small portions. Heavy dinners should be replaced with light, easy-to-digest options.

Burn the calories

Showing up at the gym is not all that requires to reach your fitness goal. High stress levels and lack of quality sleep can also sabotage your regime. Don’t be so hard on yourself while hitting the gym, as excess of exercise, like too much of food, is not good for you. If you don’t want to join a gym, hike your activity level. Go for brisk walks, ditch the lift and take up a sport or dance form.

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