How to Lose Weight During the Holidays

Put on the brakes, get in your lane, park that fork, spoon and knife during the holidays. If you're not careful you can gain a lot of weight during the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year holidays. Learn how to lose weight and get in shape during the holidays.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Weight lost goal
• Scale
• Mental control
• Physical control
• Mirror
• Good pair of sneakers

1. 
    
   Set your weight lost goal today

   The reason why people gain weight during the holiday season is because the kitchen is a magnet, sort of. Family, friends and neighbors gather to fellowship around a good meal or too many. The first thing you must do during the holiday season is to set a weight loss goal. A 15 pound weight loss goal is very doable, write it down or the number you think you can realistically lose between November 27-January 31. Get a physical exam before you start exercising, blood pressure, cholesterol, etc.

2. 
    
   Get on the scale and find out how much work you have to do

   Dust off the scale you have, in other words stop passing by your scale without getting on it to find out how much you weigh. Depending on what you weight is, determine your weight loss goal. When you get up tomorrow morning drink a large glass of water and put your workout clothes on and start warming up with calisthenics for 10 minutes.

3. 
    
   An exercise program is required, its called the action step

   After the warm up is over, its time for 30 minutes of exercise. Do two sets of leg lifts with a 12 count. Next do two sets of 12 sit ups. Then do two sets of 12 reps of push ups, then 2 sets of 12 squats. Now get your dumbbells (10 lbs), do four sets of 12 reps. After you finish your warm up, exercising and weight workout you'll be perspiring. To complete your exercise, breath deeply for a 12 count and drink more water. Take a hot shower and have a nice healthy breakfast but not too much sugar or fat.

4. 
    
   Eat healthy and avoid over eating

   At lunch time eat a nice sensible meal, not too many leftovers, rather green vegetables, soup and or fruit. Drink as much water as you can, its important to stay hydrated, especially during the winter time. A couple of hours after lunch take a 30-45 minute nap to help your muscles recover and this will give you a burst of energy.

5. 
    
   Physical conditioning and mental control is essential to your success

   Have a sensible dinner in the early evening. After dinner go for a short walk to loosen up. Stretch for 10 minutes and return home and drink more water and meditate for as long as needed, say your prayers and get a good nights rest. Get up the following morning and drink a large glass of water, stretch for 15 minutes then go out and walk a little further than you did the previous day. Return home and take a hot shower and have a healthy breakfast (oatmeal and fruits).

6. 
    
   Results are just around the corner

   Take a nap a couple of hours after breakfast. When noon time arrives, have a nice healthy lunch to include soup and salad and or vegetables.
   An hour prior to dinner repeat the stretching routine you had the previous day, 30 minutes minimum. Cool down and take a hot shower, this relaxes the muscles and helps you to recover. Have a good dinner and ensure you drink a lot of water. At bedtime, meditate and then pray and get a good nights rest.

7. 
    
   After exercising and balanced meal plan, you'll see and feel the difference

   This routine may be too rigorous for some and not rigorous enough for others, but its progressive conditioning and it works. Alternate this routine from Thanksgiving to January 31. As you begin to lose weight, write down how much weight you've lost and record the exercises and meal plans you used to lose weight during the holidays. Look in the mirror and you'll like what you see. Do the hard work now and by the middle of the year you will be looking great and ready to hit the beach with your new look. Remember, it takes commitment and discipline to achieve goals and losing weight is no different.

Tips & Warnings

• Monitor your calories at each meal
• Consistent exercising is essential
• Weighing yourself is critical because it is your guide
• Walk at a regular pace, there is no need to walk fast or run
• No alcoholic beverages or sodas, water is fine
• Take naps, it helps you to recover faster

[zadsdonna]

on 12/31/2008 Great tips for the New Year resolutions!