It’s hard enough to maintain a healthy lifestyle in winter when our motivation is often lower than the temperature outside.But attending regular work and other social gatherings can make that summer-body goal seem even more unachievable.
Sure, you can say ‘no’ to all the eating out and dinner parties, but what if you’re an extrovert who craves socialising more than you do chocolate? Or you’re the social-media representative of a foodie-related company? Or you’re just plain popular and feel bad for turning down invites from friends and family?
The good news is that you don’t have to choose between being social and being healthy. And no, you don’t have to stock your clutch bag with carrot sticks and celery either!
Use our super-simple tricks and tips to socialise without gaining weight:
1. TREAT ALL EVENING EVENTS AS DINNER
Don’t view a cocktail party or a buffet as a prelude to a meal, says Brian Wansink, author of Slim By Design: Mindless Eating Solutions For Everyday Life (William Morrow). His research shows that people who plan to have dinner later eat less at the first event, but end up eating more kilojoules overall.
2. FILL UP ON PROTEIN
Have a protein-rich snack before going out – it keeps you feeling full longer than carbs do, and arriving satisfied helps you make smarter decisions, says dietitian Jaclyn London. Try 150ml Greek yoghurt with a pear, or two slices of cheese with celery.
3. SWEAT BEFOREHAND
Squeeze in a quick 10-minute workout right before you shower and get ready. Research shows that intense exercise can quell your appetite for one to two hours, says exercise scientist Jessica Matthews.
4. REMEMBER, YOU’RE NOT THERE JUST FOR FOOD
Yes, we’re all excited about pigs in a blanket, but there are nonfood forms of entertainment too – it’s a party, after all. Make a bet with your partner about who can discover the craziest story from a guest, who can take the most selfies with random family members or who can get people on the dance floor first.
5. GO EASY ON THE APPETISERS
This strategy can help you eat 10% fewer kilojoules. That’s because it’s easy to mindlessly eat a ton of appetisers before you even sit down to dinner.
6. KEEP YOUR HANDS BUSY
Hold something in both hands at all times, like a beverage and your clutch, says London. This trick prevents you from aimlessly picking finger food off an appetiser tray.
ALSO READ
10 steps to quitting sugar
4 things to do before bed tonight to lose weight tomorrow
The food-lover’s way to lose weight
