How to beat the bulge and get a bikini body over the festive season

With the festive season on your doorstep, there are more social events and plenty of fun family time to look forward to. However, you don’t want to drop your guard and gain weight.

Gareth Powell, USN National Training Manager, says that while dieting and exercising may be the last thing you want to do over the festive season, maintaining a healthy routine is crucial.

“Although it may be easier said than done, including training and exercising when planning for the holidays can help you to make healthier choices and still have a great time with your family,” adds Powell.

Here are his tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle over the festive season:

Get outdoors

Opt for outdoor training activities like playing a game of soccer together or going for a walk in the park or on the beach. These activities are fun and can be performed by the whole family - the trick is to always stay active.

Don’t overindulge

Watch what you eat when going out. It is easy to get tempted into eating unhealthy meals when you are having a good time. Be selective of which meals you would like to indulge on. A treat here and there is fine, as long as it’s not a regular occurrence.

Manage your alcohol intake and don’t overdo it. Opt for a fruit salad for dessert instead of having a bowl of ice cream, custard or a slice of cake. Order grilled meats with a side order of vegetables instead of fried meals when ordering take-away food, and drink water instead of fizzy drinks.

Eat regular small meals

Regular smaller meals are essential. They help to maintain an improved metabolic response and appetite control, possibly increasing the number of calories burnt. Lean mass is also maintained and your blood sugar levels are stabilised, which all contribute to warding off overconsumption of foods

Don’t cut carbs

Do not cut out carbohydrates. Instead try to manage your intake so that you enhance the production of the feel-good hormone, serotonin.

Supplement your diet

Use supportive supplementation to your advantage. It’s often busy over this period, so convenience is important to help you achieve calorie requirements. For example, if you’re on the road to your holiday destination, avoid the temptation for a quick stop at the petrol station for some junk food. You can rather rely on convenient supplement snacks like a USN Diet Fuel RTD protein shake or the USN Diet Whey Slab which can be used as a snack replacement.

Get enough rest

Do not deprive your body of a good night’s sleep. Giving your body enough time to rest has many health benefits and often complements a healthy lifestyle.

“There are many ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle over the festive season that require minimal effort and planning. The trick is to be responsible about your choices,” says Powell.

“Living a healthy lifestyle should not be seen as a burden or prevent you from having fun – it should be a way of life. Always try and find creative ways of training and eating healthily, while accommodating the needs of your family.”

Recommended reading: 3 Secrets of successful dieting

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