Christmas 2022 is over, and it’s time to get back to that healthy lifestyle, so we have put together some top tips to help you lose weight after Christmas.
It’s that time of year again where we put the decorations away and think about some new year resolutions. Some of the most common new year resolutions are losing weight or joining a gym. If you’ve put on some weight over the festive period and don’t know where to start with your weight loss journey, read on for our top tips.
Top tips to help you lose weight after Christmas:
It’s important to remember that it’s very common to put on a few pounds over Christmas, so try not to worry too much. Instead, you can use it as motivation to kickstart your new year weight loss journey. Here are some of our top tips on how to lose weight after Christmas to help you get started:
Avoid or even cut out alcohol after Christmas:
Many of us tend to drink a lot of alcohol over the Christmas period, but it may be a good idea to detox come January. Not only is it good to give your liver a break, but it’s also good for weight loss. Alcoholic drinks are usually high in calories and contain high calorie mixers and sugary syrups. This can lead to weight gain, as well as encouraging you to make poor food choices as well.
Campaigns like ‘Dry January’ have been known to have positive results, with participants reporting that they slept better, had more energy and lost weight. There have also been reports of lowered blood pressure, cholesterol levels and reduced cancer-related proteins in the blood.
Tips for a successful dry January include finding substitute or non-alcoholic drinks, avoiding temptations, and using an app, such as ‘Try Dry.’ The important thing to remember is to not feel guilty if you slip up, because a healthy lifestyle is all about balance.
Eat earlier in the day
During the festive period, lots of people like to sleep in, which in turn impacts mealtimes. However, if you are wanting to lose those pounds, it’s important to eat as early as possible in the day and avoid any high-calorie or high-carb foods at night. Some people suggest having dinner before 7pm and eating a small, healthy snack, such as fruit and vegetables.
Other options are intermittent fasting, which means that you don’t eat anything for a period of time each day. Some people recommend 16/8, which involves limiting your intake of foods for 16 hours of the day and eating as normal in the remaining 8 hours of the day. You can still drink water or black coffee in those fasting hours.
Include enough fruit and vegetables in your diet:
Make sure you are eating low-calorie vegetables and include them in your meals, so that you stay full for longer. In addition, staying away from those processed foods you may have consumed over Christmas will help to reduce any bloating or extra water retention.
It’s also a good idea to remove those fattening Christmas leftovers, such as biscuits, chocolates and cake. If it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind.
Plan ahead!
Not only is planning essential if you want to stick to your exercise schedule, but planning your weekly meals is also important. Get organized with your meal planning by batch cooking from scratch. This is especially useful if you work full time and struggle to find time to cook healthy meals every night. Similarly, if you go into the office, try to make a healthy packed lunch every day.
Increase the amount of exercise you do, but set realistic goals
January is the busiest time of the year for the gym, but most gyms report a huge drop-off in the numbers by February, returning to normal. Losing weight is all about being consistent, so if you struggle to stick to the gym, try to make specific plans or goals. For example, plan and schedule two spin classes a week and a yoga class every Sunday. You can add it to your diary and calendar, so that it’s part of your schedule for the week. Another option is to go with a friend, so that you can both hold each other accountable, and encourage each other to go.
It’s also a good idea to walk more, so alongside your scheduled classes try to increase your daily step count, so that you are moving more.
The important thing to remember is that consistency is key, especially with weight loss and exercising. Try to implement some of these tips into your lifestyle, so that you can see the positive effects in the long run. It’s also important to remember that it can be difficult to lose weight after Christmas or any time of the year! Especially if you have underlying medical conditions, so it’s always a good idea to speak to a doctor if you are struggling with your weight.
Disclaimer: This content includes advice and generic information only and should not be a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for more information.
Products at Refine Pharma:
If you are looking for some alternatives, at Refine Pharma we sell weight loss injection pens, such as Saxenda. Saxenda is a prescription-only weight loss injection pen, which can be used alongside a healthy diet and exercise. However, there are some requirements before you can get a prescription, so it’s important to talk to a professional.
On the other hand, Aqualyx, which is a fat dissolving injection, may be able to help reduce fat cells in various parts of the body and face. It’s ideal for anyone wanting to lose stubborn pockets of fat that are difficult to lose despite following a healthy diet and exercise. This includes the chin, lower stomach, and thighs.
View all of our products here.
