Ok, I'm a realist. The 4th of July is here and I don't expect clients to be munching on carrot sticks while everyone else is chowing down on BBQ and guzzling cocktails. God knows I'm partaking in the festivities! The holidays are a time to celebrate and, yes, relax a little on the eating. But there's a way to do it without undoing all your hard work and setting yourself up for weight gain.
Follow these simple rules
1) EAT BREAKFAST
Many people think that if they skip breakfast they'll be "saving calories" for later. But that's a big no-no. Skipping breakfast slows your metabolism down and studies show that people who skip tend to consume way more calories later in the day.
2) EAT BEFORE YOU GO
Along the same lines, don't go to a party hungry. Eat a small meal or snack high in protein that will keep you satiated and less likely to eat everything in site.
3) PICK YOUR POISON
You can definitely have an indulgence...but not all of them. That means if really want that fat and calorie laden potato salad, you're skipping the chocolate sundae.
4) CHOOSE HEALTHIER FARE
Sure, anything smothered in BBQ sauce is going to have more calories but some things are worse then others. Choose skinless BBQ chicken over ribs and burgers. Skip cheeses and extra sauces. Fill up on big portions of the good (salads, fruit, grilled veggies) and have smaller portions of the bad (chips, dips, alcohol, desserts. etc)
5) DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach is pretty much the worst thing you can do (and if you followed rules 1 & 2 you shouldn't be) Alcohol on an empty stomach is the equivalent of eating a bowl of candy. It spikes your insulin levels which promotes fat gain and increases your hunger levels. Plus let's face it, it just leads to bad decisions and a "who cares" attitude. Slow your alcohol absorption by drinking water in between alcoholic drinks. Also, consider adding sparkling water or club soda to make spritzers. Saves a ton in calories. And speaking of calories, stick to beer and wine over highly caloric drinks like Pina Coladas and Margaritas. They can add a whopping 700 calories to you day per drink!
6) DON'T EAT LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW
Even if you indulged more than you'd like, do NOT think "It's too late, I might as well pig out and start over tomorrow" Trust me, it will just be that much harder to reach your goals. If you catch yourself overdoing it, put the fork down and walk away.
7) GO RIGHT BACK TO YOUR ROUTINE
Ok, the next day the party is over. Get right back on track. No excuses.
Follow these simple rules
1) EAT BREAKFAST
Many people think that if they skip breakfast they'll be "saving calories" for later. But that's a big no-no. Skipping breakfast slows your metabolism down and studies show that people who skip tend to consume way more calories later in the day.
2) EAT BEFORE YOU GO
Along the same lines, don't go to a party hungry. Eat a small meal or snack high in protein that will keep you satiated and less likely to eat everything in site.
3) PICK YOUR POISON
You can definitely have an indulgence...but not all of them. That means if really want that fat and calorie laden potato salad, you're skipping the chocolate sundae.
4) CHOOSE HEALTHIER FARE
Sure, anything smothered in BBQ sauce is going to have more calories but some things are worse then others. Choose skinless BBQ chicken over ribs and burgers. Skip cheeses and extra sauces. Fill up on big portions of the good (salads, fruit, grilled veggies) and have smaller portions of the bad (chips, dips, alcohol, desserts. etc)
5) DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach is pretty much the worst thing you can do (and if you followed rules 1 & 2 you shouldn't be) Alcohol on an empty stomach is the equivalent of eating a bowl of candy. It spikes your insulin levels which promotes fat gain and increases your hunger levels. Plus let's face it, it just leads to bad decisions and a "who cares" attitude. Slow your alcohol absorption by drinking water in between alcoholic drinks. Also, consider adding sparkling water or club soda to make spritzers. Saves a ton in calories. And speaking of calories, stick to beer and wine over highly caloric drinks like Pina Coladas and Margaritas. They can add a whopping 700 calories to you day per drink!
6) DON'T EAT LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW
Even if you indulged more than you'd like, do NOT think "It's too late, I might as well pig out and start over tomorrow" Trust me, it will just be that much harder to reach your goals. If you catch yourself overdoing it, put the fork down and walk away.
7) GO RIGHT BACK TO YOUR ROUTINE
Ok, the next day the party is over. Get right back on track. No excuses.