Three Secrets to Losing Weight Over the Holidays

 Research suggests that the average person only gains a couple of pounds over the holidays. So why worry about it? Because the bad news is that the research also shows they never lose those couple of pounds. In fact, on average, most people gain one to two pounds a year over their lifetime and guess what – the holidays may be to blame. The research also shows that if you recently lost weight, or are overweight, you will have a harder time maintaining over the holidays and may gain five pounds or more!
I always say – “It isn’t what you eat between Christmas and New Year’s, it’s what you eat between New Year’s and Christmas!” However, if you don’t have a strategy, a plan, this quote may not hold true.
Better yet, while most people are gaining, why not come up with a strategy to lose one to two pounds of fat over the holidays?
Strategize what your plan is going to be and then set yourself up for success with these three secrets:
1. Most important this time of year, do not skip your workouts! People who stay consistent with their exercise regimen are much more likely to maintain or lose weight over the holidays.
2. Think ahead throughout the holidays. Which splurges should you absolutely plan on enjoying over the next couple of weeks? Pull out a calendar and write them down. In order to lose one to two pounds over the holidays, your food choices need to be healthy 90 percent of the time. You really can enjoy all the foods you love, every experience you want to have, and everything about the holidays, and not completely blow it. Planning ahead and having a strategy is key. Plan now to splurge when you will enjoy it the most, and the rest of the time eat foods that will fuel your body and give you energy and vitality – lean protein, fruits, and veggies. Have a wonderful holiday season and enjoy your splurges guilt-free!
3. Be aware of black & white thinking, on or off, good or bad – maybe this sounds familiar, “I may as well not even try now and just start in January.” Don’t do this! You’ll be sorry when you have an extra one to five pounds to drop in January. Instead, plan ahead by using the above strategies of keeping your workouts consistent and planning your splurges to come out of the holidays looking and feeling fabulous at your New Year’s Eve party!
To keep you motivated throughout the holidays, Results Fitness is offering the community a way to get in one workout a week while helping the Assistance League of Santa Clarita. Beginning Saturday, November 26 (that’s the Saturday after Thanksgiving) and every Saturday until Christmas, bring in a donation to Results Fitness and take a group fitness class for free!  Stay consistent and help those in need! Results Fitness is located at 24420 Walnut Street (corner of Lyons Avenue and Walnut Street) in Newhall.
For a list of donation items or for a group class schedule, go to http://www.results-fitness.com or call 661-799-7900. Happy Holidays!