Beat the festive season bulge

You don’t have to be a victim of the dreaded festive weight gain, says Weigh-Less founder and chairwoman Mary Holroyd. Funsunzi & Me reporter Megan van den Heever chats to her about how to beat the common festive bulge.

Holroyd offers the following advice on how to say 'no' to temptation:

Everything in moderation
The festive season can be especially difficult for some, due to the ‘relaxing’ of healthy eating. Overindulging in the incorrect foods as well as excessive alcohol consumption at year-end work functions and family lunches can almost certainly cause weight gain.  But you don’t have to let eating habits be the boss of you. Its all about making the best food choices in any type of situation, even during the holidays.

Festive eating tips
Be sure to eat regular, smaller and balanced meals throughout the day, which will keep your energy levels up and you fuller for longer. Drink lots of water, at least eight glasses a day to keep you hydrated and refreshed.  Make healthy eating choices.  If you know that you have a function or lunch to attend, plan in advance; opt for grilled chicken and a salad as opposed to fried with chips. Most importantly, enjoy this time and all that is on offer, but do it in moderation.

Summer friendly workouts
Hitting the gym during the holidays takes a lot of discipline.  Nevertheless fight the urge to laze around. Sports and outdoor activities are summer-friendly workouts that raise your heart rate and keep you active. For example, enjoy a summer evening walk with the family after dinner. There are also many exercise routines that can be done in the comfort of your own home.

You are what you eat
South Africa has a serious obesity problem and our relationship with food has a lot to do with this. Our busy lifestyles and fast-food options make healthy eating close to impossible. Furthermore heart disease, diabetes and cancer are all associated with being unhealthy and overweight and the fatality statistics further prove this. Fortunately health risks can be better managed and sometimes prevented with the adoption of a healthy balanced diet. Looking good is feeling good which will ultimately help you better cope with day-to-day life.

Watch your weight
Weight-loss can be difficult if you are not fully committed to achieving it or serious about the change- You must have the will and motivation to lose the weight.  Get started with the right attitude at each meal, every day. Start with baby steps by eating healthy foods and the correct portion sizes, and weight loss is certainly achievable. Getting active with regular exercise will help you shed excess kilojoules. Seeing an improvement in your health as well as on the scale and in the mirror will be all the motivation you need to stay on track.

For information on Weigh-less visit www.weighless.co.za