The holiday season always comes with a slew of delicious food. Unsurprisingly, this is why more than 60% of Americans agree that they deserve to indulge in holiday treats around this time of the year. On the other hand, 48% admitted they eat so much during the season that they usually find themselves gaining weight. 

That said, if you’re worried about shedding your holiday weight gain, don’t be. There are ways to lose those extra pounds without draining or demotivating you. If you want to learn more about how to get back to your pre-holiday binge body, below are a few tips to help you do just that. 

1. Stay active

You can shed the added calories that came from previous holiday get-togethers by staying active. If you want to take a no-frills approach, then consider walking more. For reference, walking around three miles per hour can burn up to 140 calories. On the other hand, if you enjoy more physically demanding activities, incorporate aerobic exercises like swimming or running into your daily routine. A 2022 Live Science article on swimming for weight loss shows that swimming at a moderate pace for 30 minutes can help burn approximately 250 calories. Meanwhile, depending on how much you increase your workout intensity, you can burn up to 440 calories in the same amount of time. Do note that butterfly strokes are the most intensive swim stroke, and if you want to be more proactive in losing those extra holiday pounds, then they can boost your metabolic rate and enhance your weight loss efforts. Try to work out at least three times a week for the best results, so your metabolic rate naturally increases. 

2. Use a personalized meal plan

My post ‘4 Reasons Why I Struggle With Losing Weight’ previously pointed out how difficult it is to figure out which foods can be beneficial for weight loss, and how to properly prepare proper meal portions. Understandably, these may become even harder after indulging in all the delicious meals the holiday season previously offered. This is why you should focus less on restriction when adopting a healthier diet. Instead, today’s balanced weight loss programs encourage you to create personalized meal plans. This means you can make space for the food you love as long as you pair them with nutritional powerhouses like beans, eggs, fruits, veggies, and yogurt. Because they’re rich in vitamins and minerals, these ingredients can be eaten in any portion, allowing you to consume your favorite treats in moderation. Ultimately, striking the right balance in your diet can assist you in counteracting your holiday weight gain.

3. Don’t skip out on sleep

Sleep plays an important role in ensuring you can stay on top of your weight loss goals, especially after the busy holidays. Case in point, a study on sleep deprivation explains that insufficient sleep can cause you to crave unhealthy snacks more. Often, these types of food are full of sugar or saturated fats, which can simultaneously affect your diet and cause your blood pressure to spike. So on that note, make sure to get proper rest every night to regulate your appetite, and consequently, improve your weight loss efforts. One way to ensure great sleep is to create a restful environment, which you can do by keeping your room dark or limiting your screen time. If you still find yourself struggling to get some shut-eye, then you can use aromatherapy oils, which are known to foster relaxation and increase sleep quality. All that said, don’t underestimate how good sleep can assist you in reducing your holiday weight gain.

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Don’t be discouraged to find that you gained a few pounds after the holidays. By sticking to the tips listed above, you can certainly shed that weight in a healthy and effective manner. 

Which tip did you find the most helpful? Let me know in the comments!