Focus On Managing Your Bad Days

The Christmas and party season is fast approaching — and along with the celebrations, the food, the drinks, and the late nights, it’s easy to see why many of us end up feeling a little heavier by January.

Add in the darker days, colder weather, and less activity, and it’s no wonder the scales tend to creep up over these next couple of months.

But here’s the good news — you don’t have to go into damage control mode in January. You can enjoy the festivities and stay in control of your results. How?

Focus on Managing Your “Bad Days”

When it comes to losing fat and keeping it off, lasting results come from how well you manage your “bad days” — not from making your good days perfect. For example:

• If on “bad days” you consume 3,000 kcal, simply reducing them to 2,500 kcal will be more successful that trying to cut a 1,700 kcal day down to 1,200 kcal. 
• If you currently do zero workouts a week, adding just one session will have a bigger impact than pushing from four to five. 
• Aiming for at least 8,000 steps on your quieter days is far more effective (and more sustainable) than trying to add an extra 5,000 steps on your already active ones — and it won’t drive up your hunger as much either.

Work out when and/or what triggers a “bad day” and then make a plan on how you can improve it.

For me, it is the weekend. I have far more structure around my day, my training and eating Monday to Friday. I therefore accept I don’t have time to train at the weekend but make an effort to move more (with 11 and 8 year old boys it is not that difficult). I also try to eat a smaller, lower calorie lunch. 

This time of year should be enjoyed — food, friends, family, and all. The key is finding balance. 

If you’d like some help navigating weight loss or maintenance through the festive season, get in touch. We’re here to support you with simple, effective strategies that work.