Have you overindulged during the festive period? From creamy Irish coffees to a few too many celebrations it’s easy to gain weight during the festive period. We have teamed up with fitness, health and wellness expert Lesley Giltinan of LeanWithLesley.com to bring you 5 top tips to lose the bulge after Christmas or indeed any time of year!

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Between work Christmas parties, the calorie-laden Christmas dinner, edible presents and New Year’s Eve, it can be an effort not to pile on the pounds.

But fear not, we have some tips for you to follow to help you lose the bulge after Christmas and get back on track in the new year.

Top Tips To Lose The Bulge After Christmas

#1. Drink up

It’s one that is always mentioned but drinking water really does help you slim down. People often think they are hungry when they are just thirsty.

So next time you feel like snacking reach for a glass of water first. I’m not an advocate on drowning ourselves with our daily intake but outside of my training sessions I aim to drink 1.5 to 2 litres of water daily.

Top Tip from Lesley

A glass of cooled or warm boiled water with lemon juice is such a great way to start your day. It has significant benefits as lemon juice increases the metabolic rate which has a positive effect on weight loss.

Drinking water and lemon juice on an empty stomach every morning helps to maintain digestive health, is rich in vitamins and minerals, helps fight colds, is good for our teeth, keeps us hydrated and helps regulate natural bowel movement. It’s a win win on this one.

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#2. Eat Regularly

As much as possible eat regularly and make healthy choices, real food that has either grown from the ground or had a heartbeat. Make sure you get your greens and your protein into every meal or snack.

Avoid grazing, I highly recommend an eating window. Choose a period in the day when you will allow yourself to eat, that may be between 9am and 5pm or perhaps 11am and 7pm, depending on your lifestyle. Have your meals and snacks during this period. Fast outside of that window allowing only water, tea, and coffee.

Top Tip from Lesley

Restricting your meals and snacks to a certain window may naturally decrease your calorie intake, which will help weight loss.

Furthermore, fasting for a period longer than the window of “eating” can promote fat burning and increase muscle mass more effectively.

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#3. Get active

Get moving and burn calories by energising your lifestyle. You can workout at home on your own. Or if you wanted to get out and about you could go for a walk or if you are in the Cork area, sign up for one of the Lean with Lesley classes, check out leanwithlesley.com for more details.

Other small changes you could make to improve your fitness include:

• Taking the stairs instead of the lift
• Park further away from school and work and walk
• Join a dance class
• Go for a cycle or swim with the kids
• Use your lunch break to go for a walk

Top Tip from Lesley

Exercise can be fitted into your day easily, taking the first steps is always the most difficult. Once you are on the journey and seeing the results, you will wonder why you didn’t begin earlier.

Why not sign up to the LeanWithLesley App for Apple or Android. With a range of fitness videos, blasts, food plans, inspiring tips and recipes that will inspire you to kick start your exercise regime for the new year.

#4. Treat Yourself

If you splurge on your diet every now and then it can be good for your progress. Have a cheat meal when you need to and don’t beat yourself up over it.

Allowing yourself that little treat will help you stay motivated, make you feel less deprived and it can even keep your fat-burning metabolism high.

Top Tip from Lesley

Get back on track, never ever give up! Never say “well that’s it, I may as well just eat what I want now.” The more you practice at getting back on track, the better you will become and sooner rather than later, you will want sugar or processed foods less and less.

#5. Set Realistic Goals

You can’t expect to get down to your target weight straight away so make sure your goal is achievable. It is more likely that you’ll keep the pounds off if you slim down gradually, so aim to shed a couple of pounds or one kg a week.

Top Tip from Lesley

Keep motivated, it is not all about the scales. Weigh in no more than once a week. When you achieve your weekly goal, treat yourself with something that will keep you on track. Avoid food treats, but how about some new workout gear, make up or a great playlist to work out to? Whatever makes you happy, after all you deserve it!

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