How are you today? Did you wake up feeling sluggish, grouchy, and exhausted? Don’t worry. You are not alone.
After Easter or an unhealthy long weekend, it can be easy to feel like you overdid it on the delicious, calorific food. If you spent the past few days overdoing it on Easter eggs and mimosas, you must be craving to restart your health engine. Overeating and drinking can leave you feeling far from festive, especially since both factors increase your risk certain cancers. The good news, it is avoidable.
In this blog post, we will help you step away from the chocolate and alcohol by incorporating achievable routines that can get your health back on track — starting now.
Signs You Fell Off the Health Train
A few indicators that you definitely went overboard this Easter include:
- Waking up with a monstrous appetite, and then feeling full soon after eating.
- Poor energy levels.
- Poor tolerance to foods high in fat.
- A sudden increase in skin breakouts.
- A change in bowel movement.
- A general feeling of bloating or nausea.
How to Jump Back on the Health Train
Here are a few ways to get your health back on track:
1. Slowly cut out junk food.
Abstaining from junk food altogether is easier said than done. If you had a major Easter blowout, slowly cutting out the salty, sweet, and calorific food works better than restricting yourself in one go.
According to a statement by Pete Gleeson, Goodlife Health Clubs national personal training manager, on the Huffington Post, “the most common mistake people make when returning to exercise after a break is cutting out all the junk and ramping up exercise,” which, therefore, heavily increases the calorie expenditure.
Fact is, your body is smarter than you think. It will shut down your motivation since it doesn’t like to run on restriction. Instead, “slowly cut back on some junk and clean up your nutrition over a period of weeks and, slowly but surely, you will become more eager to increase your workouts, not drop back,” Gleeson adds.
2. Start planning your workouts.
Stop trying to eliminate your guilt by exercising seven days a week following Easter. Instead, start easing yourself back in.
Pre-planning your sessions is key. Start small by planning three workouts that you enjoy doing for the first week. Once your exercise routine becomes too easy, that’s when you start pushing yourself to do more. Also, never underestimate the buddy system and how it drives motivation. Having someone to workout with not only solidifies a fitness schedule, but it can also help in setting mental competitions.
3. Eat more fiber-rich whole foods.
What do you call a healthy lifestyle without fruits and veggies? — A fantasy.
Increase your intake of fiber-rich whole foods like fruits and vegetables, which will help you feel full for longer and less likely to reach for junk. Include plenty of whole grains and avoid heavy or fatty foods for a few days, which include butter, cream, red meat, and alcohol.
Getting back to eating healthy and exercising doesn’t have to feel like a punishment. It’s all about balance and moderation. If you had an Easter blowout — don’t beat yourself up. Indulging every now and then is never a bad thing. Simply get back on track the following day.