Healthy Living
Tips for a Healthy and Hoppy Easter
From jellybeans and Lindt bunnies to egg hunts, sweet treats and Easter tend to go together which makes focusing on your weight loss goals seem like ‘mission impossible’. But it’s doable on WW because nothing is off limits! Here are some tips for a healthy holiday.
1. Fuel your body with a healthy breakfast. Starting your day with a healthy breakfast will give you long-lasting energy for the adventures ahead. “Breakfast is a great opportunity to lean on foods low in Points, like eggs, veggies, fruit and fat-free yogurt,” Stride says.
2. Be deliberate with your time. Whether you’re having a staycation or going on holiday, make the most of your long weekend by proactively choosing how to dedicate your time. Health psychologist Dr. Marny Lishman says, “If you have a few days off, it might mean there’s enough time to work out a schedule so you can balance out the social, relaxation, exercise and ‘me’ time.”
3. Enjoy and eat your food. Increase your awareness about when and how you're eating, rather than mindlessly consuming food. “If you’re enjoying an Easter feast with family and friends, try to eat mindfully at the table,” suggests Nicole Stride, WW program developer and dietitian. “Put your knife and fork down between mouthfuls and take your time to enjoy your meal and the company you’re with.”
4. Pack healthy snack options. If travelling, do not rely on fast food. Stride suggests packing snacks like, “Fruit salad with yogurt, small packets of air-popped popcorn and whole grain sandwiches with skinless chicken breast or reduced-fat cheese.”
5. Slow down and switch off. Lie down outside, sit in a café, read a book or turn off your phone for 20 minutes for some much needed “me” time. With work, exercise, family and social commitments to balance, we often think of downtime as a luxury afforded only to the lazy. However, Dr Lishman says, “People underestimate the power of relaxation and its effect on our health. Make sure you are proactive in having wind-down time so you can recharge, rejuvenate and reset.”
6. Set up or go on an active egg hunt. You and your loved ones need to get moving at a heart quickening pace. An accredited exercise physiologist Loren Kirkwood says, “For adults, the set-up can be just as physically active as it is for the children doing the searching. The up-and-down, crawling, bending and twisting to get to those hiding spots will get your heart rate up, and help to increase your energy expenditure.”
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