The holidays are over, so now we have some weight to lose.
I don’t know about you, but every year after the holidays I do two things; breathe a huge sigh of relief, and make a plan on how to lose the extra pounds I gain. In fact, this year I have been working out with my little brother which is not only good exercise, but a great bonding experience. The holidays are a time of celebration, enjoying family, and feasting uncontrollably.
According to the New England Journal of Medicine, the average person gains at least a pound between Thanksgiving and New Years. There is no shame in gaining a few extra pounds during this time, but it is also important to be mindful of your fitness and realistic about how to lose any extra weight. Crash diets are obviously a bad idea, but if you make small edits to your diet instead of trying some huge, drastic change you are much more likely to succeed. Ideally you need to cut 500 calories every day through diet or exercise to lose one pound per week, and these five tips should help you reach that goal realistically, and with your health in mind.
READ MORE: How to Avoid Gaining Holiday Weight
Cut into your coffee. I know we all love our morning Starbucks or Dunkin, but coffee and caffeinated drinks are the easiest way to cut some calories. If you normally order a 16-ounce coffee, opt for a 12-ounce instead. If you typically add in whole or 2% milk, substitute coconut milk instead. If you can stick to this daily suggestion, you can cut 560 calories every week.
Change out your chocolate. If you typically eat sweets for a pick-me-up every afternoon (like a Snickers bar or bag of M&M’s), opt for two pieces of dark chocolate instead. Dark chocolate not only comes with health benefits, but it will also cut up to 600 calories every week.
Spin. If you’re serious about sloughing off some weight, sign up for a spin class. Having other people around you with the same goal will get your competitive juices flowing, and being trapped on a bike in a dark room will prevent you from escaping early.
Exercise with your baby. A brisk, 60-minute walk with a stroller will burn 180 calories, and it’s a great way to bond with your kids. If you do three walks a week you can burn more than 500 calories.
Stand instead of sitting. The average person will burn 100 calories per hour sitting, as opposed to 140 when they stand. If you are on your feet for two hours a day, you could cut 560 calories in a week. This will also help alleviate back issues, and give you more energy.
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