12 Days of Fitness Tips To Look and Feel GREAT

Is it beginning to look like fatness? 😆 It doesn’t have to be this way! We can still enjoy the holiday season, indulge in a few treats and prevent holiday pounds by applying these simple diet and fitness guidelines!

1. Start your day with 35-50 grams of protein.

Not only does a high-protein diet support your fitness goals, research shows people who eat high-protein breakfasts eat fewer calories for the entire day. You will discover the higher your protein is, the less you will feel hungry and crave carbs.

2. Avoid carbs and snacks at night.

Stick to high-protein meals with fibrous veggies like broccoli, asparagus, greens, spinach, low-carb vegetables and some healthy fat like olive oil or avocado.

3. Up your water intake.

It’s easy to remember to drink a lot of water when it’s hot but we tend to not hydrate as much during the winter months. Staying hydrated is not only good for you, it will keep you feeling fuller.

4. Do a protein shake before parties.

Most people try to “save up” calories for their big party by skipping meals. However, skipping meals will set you up for failure. Instead, follow these tips including eating a big high-protein breakfast and doing a protein shake or mini-meal prior to leaving the house for holiday festivities. You will be more likely to choose foods wisely and not eat just because you are hungry. Instead, you will eat to taste and enjoy foods without overeating.

5. Drink one to two glasses of water before you indulge in party treats.

Once you arrive at the party, make a habit getting a water or sparkling water before getting food or high-calorie beverages. You will be amazed how much less you will eat and drink by not skipping this rule.

6. Up your activity (go for more walks, runs, workouts).

While this is a busy time of year, and squeezing in extra activity may seem like it could be nearly impossible, it’s not. I promise! Most of us will waste more time surfing on our phone than is required to walk a couple of miles. You have time. You just have to use it wisely this time of year.

7. Avoid wearing baggy stuff (relaxed clothes often results in relaxed eating).

Relaxed clothes got a lot of people in trouble during COVID. Dressing up less and working from home in leggings all day resulted in weight gain for many people. However, there is nothing that will remind you to stick to your diet like a tight pair of jeans or a fitted top.

8. Diet every day you can.

It is so tempting to throw the diet out the window this time of year. Instead, diet harder on the days you can so you can splurge a little without feeling guilty – or gaining extra weight! I admit, it’s hard to diet this time of year but even the most social busy bee has days they can diet. Make the most of those days!

9. Set a goal to workout three times a week to stay consistent. 

Staying consistent during the holidays is crucial – especially if you want to kick off your New Year right. Once you lose consistency, it’s much harder to get back in the swing of things. Even if you can only get a 15 or 20 minute workout in, stick to some type of consistent routine and you will be AMAZED how much better you will feel now – and how much easier it will be to jump right into tackling your New Year goals come January 1st.

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10. Don’t turn cheat meals into cheat weekends. 

This is probably the most common BIG mistake. People will often have one cheat meal or special event that turns into non-stop cheats and treats the entire weekend. Instead of giving up after messing up, make a decision to get right back on plan and choose your cheats wisely.

11. Choose whole food over processed foods.

Choose hors d’oeuvres like meat balls, charcuterie meats, cheese, olives, nuts, pickles, veggies, etc over processed cheats like bread, crackers, chips and cookies.

Processed foods not only make us feel bad, they aren’t a filling – and they often cause us to crave even more processed foods. When you are faced with a buffet table full of food, prioritize whole food over pasta, bread, crackers, cookies and other “man-made” foods. Your body (and waistline) will thank you.

12. Be picky.

Taste and enjoy what you LOVE, instead of loading up your plate and just eating everything because it’s there or you don’t get a chance to eat it often. Be insanely picky. If something isn’t over the top amazing, don’t eat it. If you treat every morsel of food like each bite that costs $10, $50 or $100 each, you will totally change the way you eat. And, believe me! Each bite DOES cost! BIGTIME!

By even attempting to apply some of these guidelines, you will be worlds ahead come New Year Resolutions time – plus, you will feel much better in those Christmas party clothes!

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Merry Christmas!