5 Things: Tips for burning off Christmas fat

The holiday season can be hard on your waistline. Dinner parties, all-day breakfast buffets and, of course, copious amounts of beer and wine can really do some damage to a slim physique. So, for this week's 5 Things, we decided to talk with coach and trainer Brad Phillips.

Phillips originally worked in the financial trading industry but, after losing 25 kilograms in three months, he founded the Apollo Program fitness gym in 2008. He now uses his knowledge and passion for fitness, coupled with his corporate lifestyle experience, to help clients achieve their fitness goals. 

Phillips' experience with weight-loss and overall fitness render him a perfect contributor to this week's 5 Things. 

1. Set your goal and make your action plan  

Many people set their yearly New Year’s resolution to finally lose weight. Many people do this every year for decades, as in they never actually took action.  Program your mind for success by setting a goal that you feel is motivational and achievable, then sit down with your calendar and plan out what you are going to do to accomplish your goal. Don’t delay - start immediately.

2. Triple the amount of fresh vegetables you eat

 There is no bad vegetable. While some veggies like carrots are somewhat high in sugar, no one has ever gotten fat on carrots.  Vegetables tend to be very high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Overcooking vegetables burns away much of the nutrition, so you get a gold star for raw or lightly cooked veggies.

3. Eliminate all processed sugar and grain from your diet

Yes, 1 candy bar per day, or even 2 slices of white bread can absolutely keep you from losing weight. These foods will throw off your insulin levels and affect a myriad of hormones causing all kinds of imbalances and negative effects in your body.

4. Drink less 

Limit your drinking to 1 day per week. Even the “healthy glass of red wine” that your doctor suggested will slow your metabolism.  Alcohol is a depressant, meaning it slows down the processes in the human body; processes like brain function and the rate at which your body burns calories. Suppress your drinking to 1 day per week, and watch your energy soar and your weight drop.

5. Move every day

If you eat, you should do something physical that day. If your body is sore from a workout you did the previous day, then go for a slow jog or jump into a yoga class. Immobilizing a sore body will actually slow down recovery instead of speed it up.

//  To see more from our 5 Thing series, click here.