Is it crazy to try and lose 5 pounds post-Halloween and pre-Holidays? Not at all.
These tips aren’t get-slim-fast schemes. Each makes you healthier, more vibrant and trimmer! Exactly what you need going into the busiest and most social time of the year.
1. Go big with the sunrise
Studies show that a big, healthy breakfast speeds up your metabolism, allowing you to burn more calories throughout the day. Eat your fruit and veggies smoothie, and oatmeal topped with walnuts and flax seed.
2. Eat for color
If you eat this way you will be so full you won’t have room for the bad stuff. Go for color: greens from broccoli, reds from peppers, purple from beets, and blue from berries. These foods are much less calorie dense than processed foods. A big plate full of salad greens will fill you up without many calories.
3. Fill your cup
Ditch the sodas and artificially sweetened drinks. They wreak havoc with metabolism and studies show links to cancer and obesity. (Exactly what we DON’T want!) Drink water as your beverage of choice. Enjoy your coffee in the morning and a little wine with dinner, but aside from that, drink the stuff from the tap.
4. Skinny up after sunset
Eat reasonable portions of healthy foods. Enjoy one piece of whole grain bread, but no more. Eat slowly, putting your fork down after each bite. Wait 20 minutes before you go back for seconds. Always sit to enjoy dinner with someone you love (or at least like a lot).
5. No plastic, or cardboard wrappers
That’s right anything that comes in a package is usually filled with sugar, fat, and sodium. That means you have to cook. Keep it simple by steaming veggies, and baking chicken breasts. You can throw together an easy, healthy pasta dish in minutes. Eat before the meeting where donuts are “breakfast.” Eat a healthy dinner before the team pizza party. Focus on the conversation rather than eating food that isn’t worthy of you.
6. Walk under the stars
Assuming you get 5 solid aerobic workouts every week, add 20 minutes of walking every night. Make a deal with your husband, teen, neighbor or even your dog, to get out no matter what the weather. This walk will encourage you to move away from the dinner table and feel relaxed for the remainder of the evening.
7. What comes after x,y….
Your metabolism revs up when you get adequate sleep. Shoot for 7-8 hours every night. Turn off electronics at least an hour before bedtime. This includes the television and iPhone.
There is no magic pill for weight loss. These suggestions are simple, effective, and easy to incorporate into your routine. You’ll ditch a few bad habits that have been holding you back from losing those final 5 pounds.
