How to Stay in Shape & Be Fit
‘Tis the season to be jolly, eat a lot of Sweets and Christmas cake and also, unfortunately, suffer the wrath of the weighing machine (unless you have great metabolism of course).
While it’s good to embrace the curves and spillages your body has developed over the years it’s important to note that if you’re going to be slack with your health and fitness routine there’s going to be no one to blame but yourself when things that could’ve easily been prevented get serious. Here are some health tips you can adopt this holiday season and through the year:
Lemon Water: While the benefits of lemon water itself haven’t scientifically been recorded, the benefits of water and lemon on their own are widely acclaimed. Starting with water which is essential for survival, it is important for a woman to consume about 2.7 liters of water and a man to have 3.4 liters of water a day. Dehydration is known to slow down metabolism thus leading to an increase in weight- so pack up on that H2O. Lemons assist in hydration, boost metabolism and PREVENT weight gain. However, it may not help you shed the few extra pounds you already have.
Take A Hike: Not quite literally but taking a walk early in the morning is one of the best things you can for yourself. The fresh morning air pre the daily dose of pollution onslaught brought on by traffic is soothing, calming and meditative. Thirty minutes of brisk walking can help burn 150 calories a day. It’s also good to keep weight off once you’ve lost it. You can take this a step forward and attempt the 100,000 step challenge introduced by FitBit. It does sound daunting and will require a lot of commitment. Take a day off, map out your walking route, fix destination spots to take short breaks to refresh yourself, and gear up with comfortable and supportive gym wear.
Eat Your Fruits and Veggies: Yes the sweets on the table look absolutely tempting- and no one’s stopping you from indulging, but don’t neglect the necessary nutrient intake you need on the daily. Be sure to eat three servings of vegetables, two servings of fruit and two servings of dairy every day.
Sleep: The less you sleep the more apt you are to hang on to fat because less sleep means more stress which means your body does its best to conserve energy (fat). Lack of sleep alters the chemicals in your brain and makes you crave unhealthier food choices. All in all- not sleeping is not the best idea you’ve got right now. You need at least six hours of sleep every night to lead a well rounded, wholesome, healthy lifestyle. If you find it hard to sleep then take a warm bath, make sure your room is dark, use lavender to scent the room or your pillows. Writing down all your impending tasks before you go to bed is a great way to ensure you have a stress free snooze fest.
Go On A Detox: Every once in a while it’s good to let your sweet tooth celebrate or pig out on the junkiest of junk out there BUT every once in a while it’s important to detox. You can detox by picking a day in the week to fast. Consume only liquids: water, water infused with fruits, green juices or a detox drink made with ingredients such as ginger, lemon and honey.
