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So if you're sighing in despair at the thought of back fat and muffin tops, then read on and take my advice.
Avoid the bloat
Cutting out wheat bread and yeast for one month could help you lose up to half a stone because they are common foods many are intolerant to. Food intolerance can cause inflammation, which can make your body swell and retain water (not fat). Intolerances can also make you bloated.
Replace with wheat-free, yeast-free bread, sour dough breads, rye crackers and brown rice or wholegrain rice cakes.
Clean your liver
Your liver helps your body break down fat, so please treat it well and give it the essential nutrients it needs to work properly and your metabolism will become much more efficient and you will be trimmer.
Drink a couple of cups of nettle tea a day, take hot water and lemon when you wake and drink water throughout the day.
Bitter foods such as rocket, chicory and endive will stimulate your bile flow, which helps to break down fat. And sulphur-containing foods such as broccoli and cabbage also help your liver detox further.
Take an Epsom salt bath the night before your big do
Epsom salts can help draw out unwanted toxins from your body through the skin. You will see a difference straight after your bath and your dress will be easier to slide into.
Draw a hot bat, add half a kilo of Epsom salts (ask for them at your chemist), then sit and sweat for 20-30 minutes while drinking plenty of water or herbal teas to help you detox further.
Then go to bed and have a good sleep and drink loads of water in morning.
Support your digestion
Poor digestion can cause bloating and weight gain.
You can support your digestion by avoiding liquids within 20 minutes of meals to avoid diluting your digestive juices, which help digest your food.
And if your digestion is really bad then mix one tablespoon of good quality apple cider vinegar in water 20 minutes before main meals for one month to cleanse your system, stimulate your digestion and hopefully keep your stomach flat so you can get into your dress!
Don't stress
Keep on stressing and it might stop you getting into your party dress because stress can make you fat as your body lays down new fat stores around the middle to protect vital organs from a perceived attack.
So combat stress with deep breathing to oxygenate your body so it can serve you better. Avoid stress where possible and drink camomile tea to calm your mind.
The B complex vitamins are great for stress and you can get these from your health food store and from whole grains like brown rice or rye bread.
Get your sleep
It's much easier to stay slim or lose weight when you get enough sleep.
Lack of sleep plays havoc with you hunger hormones which leads to uncontrollable eating and weight gain.
Research also shows the longer we stay awake the more we eat! Another reason to get to bed on time as it will stop you snacking late into the night.
Try low cal alcohol
Swap Baileys and cocktails with low sugar beer, gin and slim line tonic, white wine spritzers and water chasers in between. This will help reduce your total calories and you'll look and feel so much better in the morning.
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| Photo: Getty Images |
We overestimate how much we need to eat which can lead to weight gain even when you think you are not overeating.
Your main meal portions should be the size of your two hands because that's the size of your stomach. Only snack if you need to and don't go back for second helpings. Portion control is much easier than calorie counting and it works as long as you eat healthy foods.
Don't give in to temptation
It's holiday time but never take a holiday from your health and your body will thank you for it, especially when you slip into your lovely dress and feel great!
The key is to enjoy yourself without going overboard. Overindulgence isn't worth the time and effort it takes to tone up and detox in Jan. So be strong now, not later, moderate your portions and hide the Christmas choccies and treats or give them away to friends.
Be consistent
Saying no to cakes and biscuits once a week isn't good enough, because you need to say no consistently. What you do most f the time will help you to get results and get into your dress. Daily efforts make lasting changes.
Exercise the easy way
Ok, so you're busy and its party season but you can still take time to exercise - even if it's at home in front of the TV or on the dance floor.
Make sure you are the first one up on the dance floor or try half an hour of squats, sit ups, press ups and jogging on the spot during your favourite TV programme. It will really pays off.
Article by Dora Walsh for MSN Life & Style
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