As the holidays quickly approach, I pay more attention to what I eat and my activity level.
I’m not neurotic about it. I just know from experience that I can easily gain 5-10 pounds from Halloween to the Super Bowl.
And as each year I become older, these 5-10 pounds are harder and harder to lose.
What’s the big deal with extra LBs?
Being under 5’4″ and gaining 5-10 pounds changes my size. My clothing does not fit well, and I don’t want to spend money buying new items.
Instead of spending money buying new clothes, I’d rather stay disciplined with my eating and physical activity.
Also, with extra LBs, my energy level depletes quickly. It may be a sign of aging, but I can’t prevent that from happening.
But I can change my weight by staying active and watching my food consumption.
How to fight extra LBs
To fight extra LBs from Halloween to Super Bowl, I keep it simple and focus on two items.
1. Stay active, targeting 10,000 steps daily
Walking my dog two miles every morning helps me stay motivated throughout the day.
On the days when I’m tied to my laptop working, I’ll watch my evening program while walking on the elliptical.
If I’m really short in time, I’ll run up and down the stairs in my house.
Then, I’ll roll the shortage to the next day. For example, if I’m 1,000 steps short, I’ll target 11,000 steps the next day.
I strive to make up for any shortfalls the following day.
2. Stop eating after 8PM
I’ve noticed I don’t eat healthy after 8PM. It’s usually something sweet and high in empty calories.
When I’m home, I can easily stop eating after 8PM.
The challenge is when I have an evening event or dinner out with friends. Most of these events begin at 8PM.
For those days, I pay attention to what I eat during the day, anticipating a heavy meal in the evening.
By focusing on only two things, it’s easy to stay committed.
Yes, there are days when I don’t want to do either of these items. But I try very hard.
And if I fail that day, there are other days I can succeed.
If you know you tend to gain weight during the holidays, try focusing on one or two things to encourage yourself to stay healthy.
(Update to original post from October 28, 2016)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Niv Persaud, CFP®, CDFA®, RICP®, is a Managing Director at Transition Planning & Guidance, LLC. Life is more than money. It’s about living the lifestyle you want and can afford. For that reason, Niv consults with clients on money, life, and work. Her approach capitalizes on techniques she learned throughout her career, including as a management consultant, executive recruiter, and financial advisor. Her services include developing comprehensive financial plans, divorce financial reviews, and retirement plans. Niv actively gives back to her community through her volunteer efforts. She believes in living life to the fullest by cherishing friendships, enjoying the beauty of nature and laughing often — even at herself. Her favorite quote is by Erma Bombeck, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say ‘I used everything you gave me.’”