Long, hot summer days spent at poolside barbecues can sure result in feeling parched, and although sugary soft drinks and sweetened juices will no doubt be at arm’s length, we have a much better idea.
If you’re looking to trim down and shape up over the Christmas break, whilst still enjoying your social life sans limits (yes, it is possible), then check out the below five ways to sip yourself slim.
1. Opt for low-calorie cocktails
Although we can’t save you from the inevitable hangover you’ll no doubt experience after the myriad of upcoming Christmas parties, knowing what to order at the bar can save you from squeezing into your jeans once the heat dispels.
At less than 155 calories a pop, a Cosmopolitan, Old Fashioned or the classic G&T is the way to go, with a flute of champagne sitting just on the 90 calorie mark.
Bottoms up!
Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha were totally on to something with this one!
2. Nightcap with grape juice
While experts don’t recommend this bedtime tonic every evening due to its natural sugar content, the occasional glass of 100 per cent grape juice can actually help you burn fat while you sleep.
Research published in Cell Reports explains that insulin secretion at night as a result of simple carb consumption can help regulate the body’s circadian rhythm.
Meanwhile, a second study in the International Journal of Obesity discovered that resveratrol, an antioxidant found in grapes, can convert calorie-storing white fat into calorie-burning brown fat.
3. Power your workout with a coffee
A study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness found those who consumed two to three cups of coffee in the hour before a workout could perform almost 20 percent more repetitions on a leg press machine.
While experts don’t recommend drinking coffee in excessive amounts, the java fuel-up may be occasionally helpful to those looking to reduce their waistline through exercise as researchers suggest that this allows them to torch more calories.
It should also be noted that adding milk and sugar to your morning brew may deem this study totally redundant, so try enjoying it black.
Make like Kate and drink up!
4. Start your day with a juice or smoothie
Fuel up the right way by kicking off your morning with a nutrient-rich smoothie abundant in protein, complex carbs, healthy fats, as well as vitamins and minerals.
While recipes are flexible and able to me tailor-made to your preferences, key ingredients to remember include:
Leafy greens like spinach and kale for fibre and phytonutrients
Berries for antioxidants and fibre
Cinnamon to regulate blood sugar and boost metabolism
Greek yogurt for protein and gut health
Avocado for a dose of good fat to keep you satiated until your next meal
Chia seeds for fibre, calcium and omega-3 fatty acids
5. Drink warm water
Of course, experts recommend a glass of water before a meal to surppress appetite and avoid over-eating, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the key part H20 plays in weightloss.
Next time you feel parched, opt for a glass of warm or room-temperature water as opposed to ice-cold water. While studies suggest that ice-cold water gives your body a metabolic boost of about 25 calories per glass and it is important to drink cold water to keep hydrated, warm water works better in the long run; it aids weightloss by stopping you from unnecessarily snacking as it leaves you feeling fuller for longer.
We’ll cheers to that!
