Beat the Bulge: Five Ways to Get Back in Shape After the Holidays

Get Back in Shape After the Holidays-Chispa Magazine

Although it may already seem like a lifetime ago, the festive season is only recently in the rear-view mirror. It’s that time of the year where we unwind with those who mean the most to us, while enjoying a cheeky holiday feast and maybe a few too many cocktails. Now that it’s over, though, many of us are left feeling a little too indulged and wondering where those extra pounds came from. The worst part is, holiday weight often feels like the hardest to lose and at times it can seem like nothing is working. Don’t give up and go back to your eggnog just yet though, read on to discover our top five tips to beat the holiday bulge.

Keep Moving

Obviously staying active is one of the best ways to combat any extra weight you don’t want to be carrying. Fun, family activities that get everyone up and moving are a great way to get motivated. If all of your favorite people have gone back to their normal lives, consider investing in some top quality personal training. A personal trainer will be able to devise a professional routine that will help you reach your goals and drop the pounds quicker than ever while also providing motivation and support.

Cleaning out the Closet

Cleaning can be a surprisingly effective workout and the new year can be a great motivator. Cleaning is a great way to de-stress as many people find removing a physical mess can help them declutter their mental space as well. It’ll also make it easier to find homes for any presents that showed up in December. Bonus points for this one if you get rid of anything you no longer want and donate it to those in need.

Take a Holiday

Further relaxing may seem counterproductive but taking a holiday can be a great way to beat the bulge. A change of scenery brings a sense of adventure to your life making an otherwise boring walk a rather enjoyable sightseeing endeavour. Plus, most of the exciting activities that you’ll want to do while on holiday will help you drop some extra pounds without even really noticing it.

Don’t Chew the Fat

Removing the fat from your food is a great way to reduce your portion size and boost the health benefits of your meal. While fat may be tasty, it offers little to no nutritional value, so it’s literally empty calories. Even if you end up eating more of other things instead, you’ll absorb far more vitamins which means less food being stored as excess space around your middle. If you’re particularly attached to your meat’s extra layer, consider using its removal as an excuse to try something you normally wouldn’t select from the buffet. This comes back to the sense of adventure making it less of a chore and more a fun new experience.

Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself

Pretty much everyone gets at least a little holiday bulge. It goes hand in hand with indulgence and generally decreased workloads. Unless the extra weight is negatively impacting your lifestyle, shift your focus from your weight to your happiness and health instead. You’ll feel better without the stress which will help you on your journey.

These tips will have you shedding the post-holiday slump like a snake does its skin, but remember, weight isn’t everything. Your bulge is a testament to good times had and memories made which is far more important than staying perpetually thin. And hey, if all else fails, you can always make dropping those pounds your New Year’s resolution.

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Mia Guerra

Mia Guerra

Executive Editor at Chispa Magazine
Executive Editor at Chispa Magazine, Mia Guerra is a writer at heart. Regardless the topic, she loves to investigate, encourage, and ruminate on topics that can make us better people. Aiming to live a Proverbs 31 life, Mia is ecstatic to be following her calling with Chispa. At home she is her husband's sidekick and together they are raising a God-fearing family in Atlanta.

Mia Guerra

Executive Editor at Chispa Magazine, Mia Guerra is a writer at heart. Regardless the topic, she loves to investigate, encourage, and ruminate on topics that can make us better people. Aiming to live a Proverbs 31 life, Mia is ecstatic to be following her calling with Chispa. At home she is her husband's sidekick and together they are raising a God-fearing family in Atlanta.