How to lose weight after winter

Gaining extra kilos over winter, especially Christmas, cannot be easier, as we loosen our belts to celebrate and enjoy this unique time of the year. Treats and delicacies overflow on the table, more alluring than ever thanks to an inviting family environment. If you add to this equation the fact that December is not the best month for workout or even spending time outdoors more passively, you have got a foolproof recipe for weight gain. As soon as Christmas is over and you are faced with a mandatory comeback to work or school, as well as a requirement to look good on New Year's Eve, and you are under pressure to sweat off at least a portion of this excess luggage. Here is a long list of ideas that can help you through that job.

You should make friends with mineral water, as it is not just the perfect choice to keep hydrated, something we often underrate, despite the fact that dieticians encourage to drink as many as eight glasses per day. Importantly, it can also make you fell full on its own, contributing to slashing solid food intake. As a simple trick to eat less, drink some water before and during a meal so that your stomach fills up with a smaller amount of calories.

If you change your habits overnight you might feel totally deprived of something important, which can seriously bear on your ability to sustain your new lifestyle. That is why you should allow yourself a splurge every now and then for some mental reward, but with such a rare regularity that it does not put your larger weight-losing effort at risk.

You can outsmart your craving in a lot of ways, too. As scientists have attested, a bout of desire usually lasts no more than about 10 minutes, so if you can hold it back this long, you might be able to get a fresh perspective, when you can be more objective about what you really need. Another clever trick is eating smaller portions, but more often. It does not only limit your appetite, but also boosts your energy levels and improves mood when it most needs it. Your digestive system is kept working, so it burns calories. Finally, you can bank on smart substitutions to let you reduce the load on your stomach. Why not have low carb pita bread instead of traditional white baking products? Why not swap candy for frozen grapes? These small things can make a big difference over time. The same happens in other areas of life, people switching a computer mouse for a mini mouse, a desktop for a laptop and so on.

Mysteriously, portions of dishes or snacks keep growing as we are encouraged to consume more. It is wise to unlearn what your parents told your when you were a fussy-eating toddler – there is no reason to gobble it all up. Setting aside a third or a quarter of your serving can spare your digestive system quite a job. It is not a sin to ask for a doggie bag.