How to Eat, Drink, and Be Merry Without Losing Your Waistline
If you're concerned about packing on that infamous 3 to 8 extra pounds most people add to the scale this time of year, you should be.
For every pound of body fat you gain now, it will take at least a week to get it off - so a gain of 8 pounds will take two full months to shed! A much better choice, of course, is to find a way to reduce your gain or, at least, break even on the scale come January 1st.
One simple way to do this is to pay close attention to what you are DRINKING.
Too often, people put all their focus on what they are eating and they completely miss how many extra calories they're getting from the things they drink.
And, we're not just talking about alcohol here.
All those iced coffee lattes' and energy drinks and yummy smoothies--even some of those supposedly healthy meal replacement shakes like Muscle Milk, are typically loaded with tons of calories and fat.
Throw in a few cups of eggnog and things can really start to add up! So, let's look at alcohol for a minute because, when you drink alcohol, it's not just the calories you have to worry about.
Whether you drink lite or regular beer, wine or champagne, tequila shots, mixed drinks...
whatever it is, alcohol is a triple threat to your waistline: 1) Alcohol slows down your metabolism, so you are much more likely to store not only the calories from the alcohol itself, but you'll also store a lot more of the food calories you're eating as well.
2) When you consume alcohol while you are eating, you're all but guaranteed to eat 30% more food than you would if you weren't drinking.
3) Alcohol increases your appetite, not just while you're drinking, but up to 24 hours after you've had your last drink.
Now, one great way to reduce the amount of calories you drink when they are out with friends or at a party is to use what I call the every-other-drink rule.
This simply means that, before you order your first drink, you make a promise to yourself to consume a large calorie-free drink like a large unsweetened ice-tea, diet soda or maybe plain water with lemon.
From there you get to have whatever you like to drink - just make sure to alternate every alcoholic or caloric drink with another big glass of water, ice tea or diet soda - you get the picture.
For many of my clients, this simple rule can save them between 300-1000 calories in one evening! Best of all, this gives them the ability to enjoy the party and celebrate along with everyone else without feeling completely deprived - not a bad deal at all! So, through all your holiday celebrations, watch what you drink, especially when it comes to alcohol, and try your best to alternate anything containing calories with an equal portion of water.
Best wishes to you and have a happy, healthy holiday! (Yes, you really can do both!)
For every pound of body fat you gain now, it will take at least a week to get it off - so a gain of 8 pounds will take two full months to shed! A much better choice, of course, is to find a way to reduce your gain or, at least, break even on the scale come January 1st.
One simple way to do this is to pay close attention to what you are DRINKING.
Too often, people put all their focus on what they are eating and they completely miss how many extra calories they're getting from the things they drink.
And, we're not just talking about alcohol here.
All those iced coffee lattes' and energy drinks and yummy smoothies--even some of those supposedly healthy meal replacement shakes like Muscle Milk, are typically loaded with tons of calories and fat.
Throw in a few cups of eggnog and things can really start to add up! So, let's look at alcohol for a minute because, when you drink alcohol, it's not just the calories you have to worry about.
Whether you drink lite or regular beer, wine or champagne, tequila shots, mixed drinks...
whatever it is, alcohol is a triple threat to your waistline: 1) Alcohol slows down your metabolism, so you are much more likely to store not only the calories from the alcohol itself, but you'll also store a lot more of the food calories you're eating as well.
2) When you consume alcohol while you are eating, you're all but guaranteed to eat 30% more food than you would if you weren't drinking.
3) Alcohol increases your appetite, not just while you're drinking, but up to 24 hours after you've had your last drink.
Now, one great way to reduce the amount of calories you drink when they are out with friends or at a party is to use what I call the every-other-drink rule.
This simply means that, before you order your first drink, you make a promise to yourself to consume a large calorie-free drink like a large unsweetened ice-tea, diet soda or maybe plain water with lemon.
From there you get to have whatever you like to drink - just make sure to alternate every alcoholic or caloric drink with another big glass of water, ice tea or diet soda - you get the picture.
For many of my clients, this simple rule can save them between 300-1000 calories in one evening! Best of all, this gives them the ability to enjoy the party and celebrate along with everyone else without feeling completely deprived - not a bad deal at all! So, through all your holiday celebrations, watch what you drink, especially when it comes to alcohol, and try your best to alternate anything containing calories with an equal portion of water.
Best wishes to you and have a happy, healthy holiday! (Yes, you really can do both!)
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