We have one remaining holiday left. If you aren’t careful you could drink and eat enough calories to keep you from fitting into your clothes. So here are some Do’S and Don’ts for our remaining holiday!
1 DO train hard!
It’s this stimulus that prevents the buildup in bodyfat. If you’re taking a holiday break at all, it’s better to take one from dieting rather than your training.2 DO schedule 5-6 meals a day.
Strive to eat something bodybuilding-friendly every three hours. This prevents you from overeating and letting cravings take hold.3 DO eat your veggies.
They hold hardly any caloric value, so you can use them to fill up, suppress your sweet tooth and get your fiber! Try to load up on salad with light dressings before dinner.4 DO emphasize low-fat proteins such as skinless turkey breast, fat-free cheese and protein powders.
This will help you get your fill of muscle-building calories without wrecking your progress in the gym. It also allows you to make room for higher-fat desserts and meats.>> Now that you know what to do when it comes to consumption, here are three “naughtier” habits to avoid, lest you end up with coal in your stocking and some extra layers over your abs.
1 DO NOT worry about gaining 2-3 pounds.
When you go back to your regular bodybuilding routine of eating and lifting, your body is sure to respond by dropping that weight.2 DO NOT skip meals in order to “save” calories for later.
That can lead to excessive hunger and gorging at the sound of the dinner bell. This also leads to the over consumption of foods that are dense in fat, sugar and calories.3 DO NOT weigh yourself immediately after a big holiday meal.
Sugar- and salt-laden holiday meals can cause a lot of water retention, so if you step on the scale too early, you could get discouraged. Most water retention will subside after 72 hours or so, giving you a clearer indication of how much weight you’ve gained, if any (source).
Adria Ali
(CES, PES, CPT, BS)
Jane says