Your routine of meal planning, shopping, and low carb weeknight meals should be in full swing, but hopefully it has not become too “routine”. If you feel like your weight loss has stalled a little, especially after a little over-indulgence on turkey day, it’s time to shake things up.
If you think you’ve hit a true weight loss plateau, you can read this blog, where you’ll learn four reasons why you may have hit a plateau and how to break through it. But even if you’re not in the midst of true weight loss plateau, the following tips can help breathe new life into your low carb routine even during the holiday season. Here’s how to get started:
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Write everything down. A food journal keeps you honest. It allows you to do a reality check of your calorie intake, portion sizes and carb intake. Count all your carbs! This includes lemon juice, sweeteners, that bite of pumpkin pie or holiday cookie and so on. If you haven’t already, you can download the Atkins App to track your progress, carbs and plan your low carb meals.
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Cut your Net Carbs. If you have made it past Phase One of Atkins, you can decrease your daily intake of Net Carbs by 10 grams to reset and jumpstart weight loss. Once weight loss resumes, move up in 5-gram increments again.
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Search and destroy. Or, in other words, read your labels and find and eliminate hidden sugars and starches in sauces, beverages and processed foods.
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Increase your activity level. There’s no better antidote to a filling holiday meal than a brisk walk after dinner. Exercise is also a great stress-reducer this time of the year, and helps compensate for a few extra treats here and there.
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Hydrate! Make sure you’re drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water (or other non-caloric drinks) daily. When it’s chilly out, you can boost your intake with hot tea or hot water with lemon.
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Hold off on the holiday cheer. Back off on the booze when you can, or try to abstain if it sets off uncontrollable food cravings.
These holiday plan should give you the tools you need to enjoy this special time of the year, and all the food that is associated with it, within reason. Don’t beat yourself up if you overdo it here and there. Just follow these tips to get back on track!
