Are you feeling an extra inch or two around your middle?

This time of year, sweet and savory temptations surround us. And unless you’re superhuman, total resistance to all the delicious holiday delights is almost impossible.

No wonder experts say that between Thanksgiving and Jan 1, the average American adult gains about one pound. Now, one pound might not sound like a whole lot. But problems arise when that extra pound sticks around long after the holidays are over. After a few years of accumulated holiday pounds, the excess weight adds up.

But don’t worry. Losing holiday weight gain is easier than you think. Keep reading for a few simple things that you can do to get yourself back on track, and jump-start your way into a fit and healthy new year!

 

#1. Exercise Every Day for One Month

There’s nothing better for your body than moving. Study after study shows that exercise can both improve the quality and the duration of your life. Exercise every day can also help you quickly drop a few pounds while toning up your body.

Now there’s no stopping you from keeping the daily exercise going as long as possible. But by giving yourself a short term, incremental goals, you are much more likely to reach your ultimate weight loss and fitness objectives.

 

#2 Find A Friend To Workout With

What’s more motivating than knowing someone is saving you a mat at the pilates studio? Working out with a friend helps you avoid skipping your daily exercise when you’re feeling less than inspired. You’re more likely to meet your weight loss goals with a friend because you’re simply less likely to give up. And studies show, when you work out with a friend, you work harder too.

 

 #3 Ditch Unhealthy Holiday Treats

Is your fridge full of holiday leftovers, cakes, candies, and treats? This may sound crazy, but -open the fridge door, pull out every weight-buster you see – and throw it all away. If you can’t stand the idea of tossing good food, donate it to your local food pantry. Getting temptation out of your site is the only way you to avoid adding them to your waistline. And when your fridge is empty, fill it up with fresh, healthy, wholesome food – only.

 

#4 Be Prepared

When you’re extra busy at work, and hunger is gnawing at you, that’s when you are most likely to reach for a readily available – and unhealthy sweet treat. The key here is preparation. Prepare all your food for work the night before. When your meals are ready to go, you won’t make unhealthy, spontaneous choices. And while you’re at it – get your fitness bag ready too. Make sure there’s no excuse to skip the gym – remember, your buddy is waiting!

 

#5 Drink Lots of Water

Drinking lots of water cleanses your body of toxins, boosts your metabolism, and even suppresses your appetite. Drinking lots of water also stops your body from retaining water – leading it to drop extra water weight.

Thirst can make you think you’re hungry when you just need water. So before you decide on a snack, drink a glass of water first.

 

#6 Gut Health is Everything

The holidays are the prime season for overindulging on sugar, alcohol, and unhealthy fat – all things that throw your gut microbiome out of whack and make digestive issues much more likely.

At the same time, you’re less likely to eat high fiber foods that your helpful gut bacteria need to survive. Taking a probiotic supplement reseeds your gut, keeping your digestive health on track.

When it comes to holiday weight gain, studies show that taking probiotics from the Lactobacillus family can help. A study done on L. Fermentum showed it reduced weight by 3-4% over 6 weeks. That means a person weighing 165 pounds can lose 6.6 pounds just taking this one probiotic daily.

Fermentum, along with other strains shown to help you lose weight is included in the 16 strains of probiotics in Stonehenge Health’s Dynamic Biotics.

Sources:

Omar, Jaclyn M., Yen-Ming Chan, Mitchell L. Jones, Satya Prakash, and Peter J.H. Jones. 2013. “Lactobacillus Fermentum And Lactobacillus Amylovorus As Probiotics Alter Body Adiposity And Gut Microflora In Healthy Persons”. Journal Of Functional Foods 5 (1): 116-123. Elsevier BV. doi:10.1016/j.jff.2012.09.001.