A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips…
Chinese New Year is always a joyous occasion with long-awaited reunions, endless conversations and not forgetting social gambling feasting on new year goodies!
I mean who can resist those glorious pineapple tarts, glistening bak kwa and savoury shrimp rolls. But giving in to these temptations might lead to a lifetime of regret… Okay, we are exaggerating but a wise (wo)man once said, “A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips.”
So if you are like us who gain weight easily, we have compiled 7 tips to help you (and me) stay lean during this festive season.
1. Stay hydrated
Water is your best friend! Drinking water can actually increase your body’s metabolic rate by 24% to 30% over 1 to 1.5 hours, which helps to burn calories. On top of that, it detoxifies your body system by flushing out accumulated toxins and waste from days of snacking on processed food.
Hack #1
The next time you feel hungry, try drinking a glass of water first because you may actually be thirsty, not hungry. Not only does it improve digestion, it also makes you feel full faster so you will consume less calories at every meal.
Hack #2
Bring your own water bottle and try to stick to plain old water (with zero calories) rather than sweetened drinks that are packed with unhealthy amounts of sugar. Even those packet drinks that are labeled as “less sugar” or “less sweet” aren’t exactly good either. If you really had to drink flavoured water, opt for unsweetened tea or sliced lemons in plain water.
2. Don’t go on empty stomach
If you are thinking of going for CNY visitations on an empty stomach, don’t. You will probably end up wolfing down more food than intended. To control yourself from hangry eating, snack on some healthy foods or have a hearty breakfast before you start the day.
Hack #3
This may sound counterintuitive but you can snack on some fresh fruits (time to eat those mandarin oranges that’s piling up in your fridge) or some healthy nuts before leaving the house. Not only will this reduce the chances of you overeating, but this can also provide you with your daily requirement of dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals.
3. Watch your portion
We are not sure how many rounds of yusheng/hot pots/bbqs you have eaten so far, but we are pretty sure there will be more gatherings over food coming up in the next few weeks.
Hack #4
Everything in moderation is key to not overeating. Or, even when you do, try to limit yourself to just one cheat meal a day and cut down on the portion for the other meals to strike a balance. If you know that you are going to have a feast for dinner, select healthier breakfast and lunch choices to keep yourself in-check.
Hack #5
Another way to control your portions is to use smaller plates. This is called the “Delboeuf illusion” – it tricks your brain into thinking that you are eating more food and therefore feeling satisfied with less food. Genius!
4. Eat wisely
It is easy to binge on CNY snacks and munch mindlessly to avoid awkward conversations with distant relatives. Before you know it, you may have finished an entire container of junk food on your own.
Hack #6
A complete ban is almost an impossible task but try to limit yourself to 2 to 3 pieces just to satisfy those guilty pleasures and ration on the number of snacks you can eat at each household. Do keep in mind that an average person’s calories for men is no more than 2,500 calories and women is no more than 2,000 calories per day (and that includes all your meals and drinks).
5. Stay active
Because you most likely won’t have the time to go for morning jogs or hit the gyms, take any opportunity to move as a form of exercise.
Hack #7
At home, offer yourself as a host to serve drinks, snacks and food to your guests. Keep yourself busy with serving and standing at the door to welcome your guests. Also, instead of food deliveries, offer to walk to the nearest food centre to get food for your guests.
Hack #8
If you are visiting your relatives or friends, park slightly further away from your destination and walk that extra distance to their house. Opt to climb the stairs instead of taking the lift.
During your visits, prepare to give up your seats when the house is packed with other guests. The idea is to keep your butt off the chair!
6. Try not to stay up too late
If you are staying up later than usual, the probability of getting hungry late at night is very high. Supper is always a bad idea, unless you are looking to gain some extra kilos…
Hack #9
Playing mahjong and blackjack could be something you can’t miss every CNY. Start your games earlier so it won’t be dragged past midnight.
7. Visit us post-CNY
Are you already feeling the effects of CNY feasting? Fret not! Feel free to visit us post-CNY for a body slimming and toning treatment to shake off those excess weight you have gained.
Hack #10
Finding time and committing to an exercise routine can be hard amidst your busy schedule but you can get it all settled with this latest body contouring treatment.
Our new EstSlim Body Treatment can help you achieve and maintain a slim figure without lifting a finger.
To sum it all up, it is not too difficult to stay in shape during CNY if you try out all the above hacks. However, if all else fails, we are always here to help. Stay fit everyone!
In good hands,
Estetica
