How to End the Holiday Season 5 Pounds Lighter

Come January, everyone will be lamenting all of the eggnog, fudge, candy canes, and more that they ate over the holiday season. Retailers are counting on that—in fact, they’re already getting their weight loss products ready to market. But you can survive the holidays with your waistline and health intact.

Here’s your hour-by-hour holiday survival plan:

7:00 am — Put down that muffin and start your day with a smoothie. For many of us, breakfast can be the most difficult meal of the day. Maybe you’re rushing out the door, late to work, and grabbing a quick cup of coffee and a muffin at your desk. It doesn’t have to be that way. I recommend that you put down that muffin and reach for a delicious smoothie instead.

10:30 am — For a mid-morning break, reach for some chromium. Chromium is a powerful trace mineral that helps increase insulin sensitivity, allowing for better transport of blood glucose into cells. I recommend you take 150 mcg of chromium daily.

12:30 pm — Enjoy a salmon salad for lunch. There’s no reason to skimp on lunch just because you want your clothes to fit better. Instead, I recommend that you enjoy a lunch filled with the right amounts of delicious, healthy foods.

3:30 pm —Instead of reaching for a candy bar or bag of potato chips, make time for cup of green tea. It’s low in calories, and provides a host of health benefits. There’s also some evidence that it may help support a healthy metabolism. You’ll see—and feel—the difference a cup of green tea will make in your hectic day.

7:30 pm — Take an evening stroll. Exercise is vital if you’re looking to control your waistline. But you don’t have to go to the gym or buy any expensive equipment to get the exercise you need. A simple evening stroll will provide you with the regular, moderate exercise that you need to help maintain your normal, healthy weight. Plus, an after-dinner stroll is a terrific way to end your evening—it’ll improve your digestion and help you sleep better as well.

Now it’s your turn: How do you avoid holiday weight gain?

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