Winter Solstice approaches as a time to reflect, and contemplate the meaning of the season. Although this is a time of giving and celebrating, why not start by putting yourself on the top of your holiday list. The holiday onslaught of high fat sweets and libations can be tempting. Instead of succumbing, enjoy the holidays with renewed energy, improved health and longevity and still lose weight or at the very least maintain your weight with some helpful tips.
Here is a list of ideas to assist you through the holidays and beyond, so that this year your diet resolutions will stick and you experience health everyday.
- Pick up an inexpensive pedometer to track your activity each day. It measures the number of walking steps you take, and reminds you to strive for at least 10,000 steps/day.
- Play ball with a 25 inch exercise body ball. They are fun to bounce on or toss and offer many ways to tone and tighten. Some even come with variable resistance tubing for greater variety. Consider one for your desk chair as well.
- Heart rate monitors provide a great way to track your exertion levels and keep you motivated to reach your weekly activity goals. The kind that wrap around your chest and include a monitor watch are best.
- Transitions Glycemic Index Food Guide, by Dr. Shari Lieberman helps you select low glycemic load foods that give you lots of energy, keep your blood sugar balanced, and the weight off. www.transitionslifestyle.com
- Enlist comprehensive support, meal planner, exercise logs, recipes, grocery lists, progress charts, and stress reduction tips with a subscription to www.transitionslifestyle.com.
- Extend Snacks were developed by Dr. Francine Kaufman, past president of the American Diabetes Association. These delicious snack crisps and bars help control blood sugar levels for up to 9 hours. You will be less inclined to over eat or crave sweets when your blood sugar stays balanced. www.extendbars.com
- I-pod mini Shuffles are great for storing your motivating music. These light, clip-on music players help keep you energized through any workout.
- Monitor your progress with a scale that measures your body fat in addition to your weight. Do not be married to the scale for weight loss, instead focus on body fat loss. Measuring weight alone has never been a good indicator of true fat loss. And isn’t that what you really want to lose?
This is just a sampling of tools to assist you through the holiday season. Of course, the best gift of permanent weight loss is your renewed vitality, increased health and longevity, not to mention how great you will look and feel in all those new clothes! Have a wonderful holiday season.
References:
- Dare to Lose, Lieberman, 2002
- Transitions Lifestyle System Easy to Use Glycemic Index Guide. Lieberman, 2006.
For more info, contact Virginia Parsons at (775) 250-6482.
