16 tips & tricks to stay in shape for 2016
Let’s have a show of hands, how many of you have gained more weight than you would’ve liked over the festive period? December is absolutely notorious for celebrations and feasting, which is all fun and games and completely lovely… until you step on the weighing scale. You look down at the increased figure on the scale in open mouthed horror, and then not too long after, you find yourself writing in your notebook: NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS.. 1) Lose Weight!!!
Sounds familiar? Welcome to being human! Losing weight, keeping in shape and staying trim and healthy are definitely one of the top few in EVERYONE’S New Year resolutions, alongside with being happy, getting rich, and other lifelong goals. Unfortunately, for the vast majority of people, by the time they’re into their second week of January, they’ve forgotten all about how badly they wanted to “finally get in shape this year”.
Real life and complacency takes over, busy schedules turn into bad eating habits and unhealthy lifestyles.. the vicious cycle continues. But you know what? That doesn’t have to be YOU this year. 2016 is your year to look and FEEL great about yourself. You can’t be completely happy if you don’t have a body you’re comfortable and satisfied with. As long as you feel insecure or bad about your figure or the way you look, you’re always going to have self esteem issues, no matter how insignificant they may seem on a daily basis because you tell yourself not to be “so superficial”, it will have an inevitable effect on your mental health in the long run. Most people set unrealistic goals for themselves that they don’t end up committing to because of lifestyle or discipline issues, but at Slim Couture, we would like to highlight the fact that a healthy lifestyle begins with small baby steps. You don’t necessarily have to visit the gym 3 times a week to lose weight, after all, haven’t you heard? Abs are made in the kitchen. And changes are made on an everyday basis.
In order to help you get in the right mindset and track for the coming year, here’s Slim Couture’s 16 tips & tricks to stay in shape for 2016! Some are extremely simple and achievable, while others may seem more difficult to do, but it all relies on one thing – your own determination. If you adhere to this guideline, we are sure you’ll be enjoying visible results before the half year mark! You know what’s the best part? Not ONE of this includes going to the gym. WOOHOO!
So here goes. Are you ready to be shape in 2016?
1. Cook at home more. ✓
Kill two birds with one stone by cooking at home. It’s wallet-friendly and also healthier because you get to monitor your ingredients and portions. Forget dining in restaurants or cafes, because you’ll tend to over order and over eat. Besides, you don’t know how much oil and preservatives they actually put in your food!
2. Start cutting fattening foods in your diet one by one and slowly. ✓
Most people give up on their diets because they’re too hard to stick to. Want to see long term results? Then do something you won’t have to struggle with. Unable to give up carbs completely? Start by eating 3/4 a bowl of rice instead of your usual 1 bowl everyday, then eventually reduce it to half a bowl, or limit your twice weekly bubble tea indulgence to only once. Small steps eventually lead to big results.
3. Go window shopping often. ✓
You don’t actually have to buy the clothes (unless you really want to). What you should do is just try on different styles of clothing on your body to appreciate it more, and this will help you understand the type of body you have. Look in the mirror. Like what you see? Nothing makes you more sheepishly aware or proud of your body like a tight bodycon dress. You’re going to want to put in effort to look GREAT in GOOD clothes.
4. Pack meals to places that don’t offer healthy solutions. ✓
We know you’re not lying when you say that there are no healthy options sometimes. Perhaps the only food choice that’s convenient for you that day will be full of greasy or carb-laden options. So if you already know that you’re going to be put in that situation, plan your meal ahead, a day before! Prepare a pre-packed meal for yourself to eat without guilt and excuses.
5. Drink a lot of water. ✓
Water is great for you, and somehow everyone knows this, yet most people just don’t drink enough. Water keeps you hydrated, your body functioning well and your stomach full for longer.
6. Do not use social gatherings as an excuse. ✓
It is possible to go out in a group for a company dinner, a birthday celebration or a party without stuffing your face. It might be a true test of your will, but it is completely possible. Don’t tell yourself, “Just this once!” because you know it never happens once. Keep disciplined at all times.
7. Know when to reward yourself. ✓
Deprivation isn’t the same as dieting. Dieting is keeping your portions and calorie intake in moderation. Deprivation is being irresponsible and ill-informed, such as skipping meals or avoiding carbs completely. A once a week treat to reward yourself for being good also isn’t a bad idea! You deserve it.
8. Keep a weighing scale at home. ✓
Then weigh yourself at least once a week to keep yourself in check. You ought to know if you’re gaining or losing weight. Don’t wait till your jeans don’t fit you right anymore to tell you that you’re piling on the pounds, be in charge of the situation!
9. Avoid supper like the plague. ✓
Because you probably won’t be able to burn off all those calories before you sleep. And when you sleep, all those extra calories get turned into fat. Just, don’t. We know how amazing supper can be, but don’t do something you will regret in the morning.
10. Encourage the people around you to eat and live healthier, too. ✓
If everyone in your office or home is insisting on fried chicken, you’re likely to give in to eating fried chicken as well. But if you’re surrounded health-conscious and like-minded people, you’ll find that the overall attitude towards food choices and lifestyle habits will improve for everyone.
11. Stay active even if you’re not hitting the gym or doing a work out of some sort. ✓
You don’t need to hit the gym so often, but you do have to move your body. Instead of taking the lift up two or three storeys, take the stairs. If you can spare the time, go for a long walk instead of a bus ride. Did you know that even shopping could burn you 75 calories per hour? Get off your butt. Go and live.
11. Upkeep your household chores. ✓
Laziness is universal. Encourage yourself to embrace things you don’t usually like doing, such as chores, assignments or exercise. Understand that they are all part of life. Having a conducive and clean environment at home makes for better living. Housework is a physical activity that keeps your body active, and it is 100% productive.
12. Eat breakfast every morning and light meals inbetween. ✓
Instead of large meals at long intervals, get your metabolism going as soon as you wake up, and then take small bites or snacks throughout the day to make sure your food is digested in the most efficient manner.
13. Find out what healthy foods you like. ✓
To think that all diet-friendly foods are not tasty just means you haven’t been eating the right stuff! Healthy food can be absolutely delicious, and you need to figure out what you like. One of my favorite diet food is roasted vegetables. I brush vegetables like pumpkin, broccoli, onions and tomatoes lightly with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt, then leave em in the oven to roast for 40 minutes.
14. Replace your favorite fattening snacks with a better alternative. ✓
If you’re one of those people who just can’t stop munching on things, then get better alternatives to snack on. Replace your potato chips with roasted nuts, candy with fresh fruits, etc. Nothing makes you fat like junk food does.
15. Remember not to skip your meals. ✓
The longer you’ve gone without food, the more you’d want to binge during the next meal. Even if you don’t think you’re that hungry for breakfast, lunch or dinner, always have something light, like a salad, to avoid binging later on.
16. Get freaky in the bedroom. ✓
We saved the best for the last. For 18 and above only, please. What better way to be more self-aware of your own body than some sexy time? You’re going to want to look good for yourself and your partner. You’re going to want to be able to get into different positions and you’re going to want to be butt naked and still sexy as hell, instead of worrying about your lumps and bumps. You will want your partner to worship your body. If that’s not motivation, we don’t know what is, really!
Go on, go forth; let 2016 be YOUR YEAR!
