Beat the Bloat

It’s that time of year again – cookies, pie, adult beverages, and countless parties and family gatherings. If you’re like me, you’ve spent a few holiday seasons letting your good habits go and indulging on one too many treats. Then, January 1st rolls around and you realize those skinny jeans don’t fit anymore which makes absolutely no sense because they fit fine just a month ago!

Enter the New Year: a time to make resolutions. If you’re like me, you’ve spent a few New Year’s Days vowing to drop the 5, 10, or even 15 pounds you put on over the past 6 weeks and to never put those pounds on during the holidays again.

But here’s the thing. Even if you have been indulging a little too much lately, you can stop now. Even if there is still a lot of holiday food around you, you can stop now. You DON’T have to put weight on every holiday season, you CAN still enjoy your favorite treats, and you CAN end the holiday season on a healthy note!

But let’s say you didn’t have the willpower this year and now you’re facing that ugly number on the scale. There are a few things you can do to get rid of the bloat fast and set yourself up for success in 2015.

1. Ignore the scale. Yes, you read that right. Ignore the scale. While I don’t see anything wrong with weighing yourself once a week or even once just every other week, I am not a fan of the scale. Speaking from experience, weighing yourself too often can lead to obsessive behavior and unhealthy thought patterns. Focus instead on how you feel and how your clothes fit. If you really need numbers to measure progress, then use measurements instead. Measure your waist, chest, hips, thighs, and upper arms. Make sure to measure at the same time of day and in the same place on your body each time for consistency.
2. Chug that H20. Water is one of the best ways to clean out your system, so down a glass right now. If you have trouble remembering to drink water, there are apps you can download to help you track your water intake. I use “Waterlogged” and it really helps!
3. Make your next meal healthy. Let’s say you’ve been eating quite a few heavier meals. Make your next meal healthy and I’m willing to bet that you’ll already feel better. You are only as good as your last meal, and it only takes one meal to start reversing a bad pattern.
4. Move! If you live in a moderate climate, or aren’t phased by the cold, get outside for a family walk. If it’s too cold to be outside, hit the mall and walk!

No matter what, it’s up to you to make the decision to change  your habits. But you CAN do it! And as always, if you need help. I’m here for you. Find me on Facebook and I’ll get you connected to my next accountability group.