5 Tips for Getting Back in Shape After the Winter Holidays

The period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve is stressful for many people—and on top of that, the changes to usual diets and routines are often too much for the body to handle. Not only does our skin start freaking out (leading to some terrible acne flareups), but we often gain more weight at this time of the year. This pairs with ruining our gains in muscle or flexibility because we’re more sedentary, and we tend to overindulge in rich holiday foods. All of the extra stress can lead to us to feel burned out and engage in unhealthy eating patterns, then feel guilty about overeating. Studies have shown that most Americans make a New Year’s resolution to get fitter or lose weight in the new year.

The holidays might be rough on our skin—not to mention get in the way of our weight-loss plans—but there are some simple techniques you can use to get back into shape in the early months of the new year. If you want to beat the post-Christmas blues, the best thing you can do is start moving. Other strategies include maintaining a healthy lifestyle, staying calm as much as possible, and even choosing body-contouring procedures, such as surgical liposuction or minimally invasive SculpSure^®. Philadelphia’s Cross Medical Group explains more about the various strategies that can help you reach your body goals faster. 

1. Eat Smaller Portions

While it might not be possible to shrink your stomach, you can adjust how your stomach responds to hunger and feelings of fullness by changing your eating patterns. Your stomach can adapt over time so that you feel full after consuming much smaller portions. By reducing your portion by just one third after the holidays, you can minimize your overall calorie intake each day. 

2. Body Contouring Treatments 

Even after losing all-over body weight by changing exercise routines and dietary habits, it’s likely that there will still be some areas of the body that are difficult for you to reduce. We all gain and lose fat more easily in certain areas. Minimally invasive body contouring options such as SculpSure^® and Kybella^® are available to dissolve some of the volume from problem areas. SculpSure^® is used for reducing fat on the abdomen and flanks, while Kybella^® reduces submental fat from below the chin for a more defined-looking jawline. As it can take months to see the full results from these procedures, it makes sense to get body contouring treatments done in the winter if you want to show off your look by the time summer comes around. 

3. Reduce Your Stress Levels 

When you’re stressed, your body produces more of a hormone called cortisol, which can lead to increased weight gain since it’s associated with a greater food intake. Not to mention, we also tend to crave junk food more when we’re stressed. Do what you can to manage stress after the holiday season. Getting more exercise or including yoga, meditation, or breathing techniques in your daily routine can be beneficial. 

4. Increase Your Protein Intake 

Holiday foods are usually rich in carbohydrates. Swap these for high-protein meals as much as you can if you want to avoid overeating. Protein is a great weight loss food because it helps you to feel fuller for longer periods of time. Your body also burns more calories digesting it. Try to include at least one ounce of protein in all of your meals. 

5. Liposuction 

Liposuction is a surgical body contouring option that’s one of the most popular New Year’s resolution-inspired procedures. Much like less-invasive body contouring treatments, liposuction reduces fat in areas that don’t respond well to diet and exercise. It can be used for subcutaneous fat on most parts of the body. 

For more information on cosmetic procedures, contact Cross Medical Group. Call them at (215) 561-9100 or submit a contact form to schedule a consultation.