Politically Incorrect Holiday Fat Loss Tips

by Craig Ballantyne

Politically Incorrect Holiday Fat Loss Tips

I was at a big event last week and was reminded how important it is to have strategies for this season of high-calorie parties and busy schedules. But I get ticked off by the tired old suggestions you find on the Internet or in magazines like Woman's World.

Often the suggestions are lack any substance, because the writers don't want

to imply you actually have to make a sacrifice to succeed. They make fat loss

sound easy, as if all you had to do was park at the far end of the parking

lot and you'd burn all the calories from 5 shortbread cookies.

Well it doesn't work that way...So here are my politically incorrect, unique Turbulence Training strategies to help you keep off the

holiday pounds.

By the way, I "borrowed" a few ideas from contestants in my Turbulence Training Transformation Contest. The Transformation is rocking

with social support and success stories right now, even while the rest of the

world struggles with weight gain, these TT users are losing fat over the

holidays.

Strategy #1 - Green Tea & Almonds

One of the most common tips you'll hear is to "fill up" before you go to a party where there will be lots of goodies.

Unfortunately, most people I talk to have no luck with this tip. Most people still go to a party and eat everything in sight.

But recently TT users have told me that having a cup of Green Tea and one

ounce of almonds has helped them avoid holiday cravings better than anything

ever before.

The fiber from the almonds reduces appetite while the small amount of

caffeine from the Green Tea seems to increase mental alertness and keep you "

energized" at the party.

Hopefully that might work for you...

Strategy #2 - Don't waste your time on any fancy cardio programs

Listen, the bottom line over the holiday season is that your success depends

almost entirely on your nutrition.

You can't expect to hit the cardio confessional and burn off last night's 2000 calorie smorgasboard. That's a 4-hour workout. Instead, don't

get into that situation in the first place.

Here are more nutrition tips:

- Focus on portion control (and if you have no discipline, forget even trying to eat just one) - Nix all drinks mixed with calorie-containing beverages, or better yet, just

stop getting drunk. Period. - Write down everything you eat to identify your problem spots. Then do

whatever you need to do to eliminate your weaknesses. If you don't record

your nutrition, chances are you'll miss big opportunities to change your diet and lose fat.

Strategy #3 - Take care of yourself first.

My friend Holly Rigsby is always reminding busy moms to take care of

themselves first, and I think that suggestion applies at this time of year to

everyone.

So take a deep breath. Ask yourself as you're running around to please everyone else, "Have you set aside time for yourself"

Be selfish. Make sure you have had some exercise time, some good nutrition,

and some rest before overextending yourself and doing too much for other

people when you haven't taken care of yourself and your goals first.

Strategy #4 - Get on a roll

This one comes from a TT Transformation contestant who is too busy losing fat

to get off track over the holidays.

Don't procrastinate till January 1st. Get started now. Dozens of men and women are doing their Turbulence Training Transformations right now -

through the heart of the holiday season.

They aren't waiting for Jan. 1st to show up. They are taking control now, and getting on a roll, and not letting anything (from work parties to peer pressure) get in their way.

Strategy #5 - Exercise in short bursts whenever you can

Don't be afraid to dance at your Christmas party. Don't worry, there is bound

to be at least one worse dancer than you out on the floor. Have fun and get

down!

On a more serious note, here's how to avoid falling off the fitness program during the busy holiday season.

Get your butt out of bed 15 minutes early so you can have 3 minutes to wake

up and 12 minutes to do the December 2007 Turbulence Training 12-Minute

Workouts.

Turbulence Training today: http://tinyurl.com/m8xywl

Stay healthy and fit over the holidays,

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS Author, Turbulence Training

About the Author

Craig Ballantyne is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and writes for Men's Health, Men's Fitness, Maximum Fitness, Muscle and Fitness Hers, and Oxygen magazines.