Most people do not start the agenda of keeping fit until after the party season. We’d argue that these people have got things the wrong way around. The best time for disciplined diet is before and during the parties, so you can look and feel your best when they roll around. Here’s a four-week plan for getting the most out of your well-earned holiday!
Week 1 – Priming your body for parties
You know you’re going to be downing plenty of tasty barbeque foods and beers in the coming weeks, so why not have a little “pre-tox” to cleanse your body?
- Eat more seasonal fruits and vegetables, like oranges, cranberries, root vegetables and leafy winter greens. Packed with vitamins, fiber and antioxidants, they are perfect for strengthening your immune system.2
- Avoid drinking too much alcohol. Alcohol contains more fat per gram than any other edible substance besides fat itself. If you can, go teetotal for a week to give your liver a break.
Week 2 – Catching your Zs
Aiming for 7 hours of deep sleep per night has the following benefits.1
- A stronger immune system, so you don’t spend the summer at home in bed.
- Higher energy levels to help you become the life of the party.
- A smaller waistline. Getting enough rest is essential for higher metabolism, while lack of sleep has been linked to obesity.
A good night’s sleep requires careful preparation throughout the day. Avoid caffeinated drinks after 2 p.m., try to consume slow-digesting complex carbs for dinner to prevent hunger pangs from keeping you awake, and avoid computers and smartphones before bed. Your body will thank you for it.1
Week 3 — Getting active
Going to the gym might be difficult when you have a packed social calendar, but you don’t need to be in the gym to get active. One handy way to squeeze some exercise into your schedule is to wake up slightly earlier. A simple yoga session or bodyweight workout in the morning is a great way to start the day, and it lessens the guilt from any partying you might have planned later in the day.
Week 4 — Relaxing
It may sound odd, but partying isn’t always the best way to relax. Financial pressures, neverending small talks and late nights can make you feel like you need a holiday from your holiday. Set aside at least one night of me-time this week. Play board games with your family, watch a movie on Netflix or even just catch up on your sleep. You’ll enjoy the holiday season more if you balance your social events with sufficient personal space, and feel healthier to boot.
Resources
- The Sleep Association Visited 26 November 2010.
- Body Ecology – The 9 Healthiest Winter Vegetables. Visited 29 June 2017.