Many of us prepare for the festive season with great enthusiasm. We even try to lose those extra kilos from our body to feel confident and fit into the beautiful clothes we want to buy. But festivals mean gatherings where you tend to overeat, especially sweets and fried foods. All these things can compromise many good practices you have indulged in for your body. Now are you wondering how to get back on track after the festival season? Come, find the answer.

Health Shots got in touch with Anupama Menon, a certified nutritionist and food coach from Bengaluru, who curated a list of tips that will help you get back on track easily.

Here are 7 tips to get you back on track after festival season:

1. Get back to your workout routine

According to a study published in the journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, inactive weeks can bring down your performance levels. But once you have decided to come back, give your muscles a week’s rest and indulge in light exercises and stretching. Opting for a low-intensity workout can help stimulate your muscles and can further prevent the risk of injuries and muscle soreness. Make an effort to build up the routine gradually and this will help you lose weight as well.

2. Avoid alcohol and sugar

After the festivities, maybe it’s a good time to go off alcohol and sugar for a month. Perhaps it would be wise to abstain from alcohol and sugar for a month after the festivities. The benefits of this healing process for the body include better sleep patterns, more energy, help with weight reduction, no hangovers, improved blood sugar levels, better skin health, and a reduced chance of mental health-related problems. The body will appreciate this healing process.

Also read: Don’t forget to look after your skin post Diwali! Here are 9 quick fixes

3. Stay hydrated

Some of the festival weight gain can be attributed to bloating. So, drink plenty of water to help your body get rid of some of the additional sodium and bloat. You may feel fuller after drinking water, which will help you stop overeating.

4. Stay away from processed foods

Instead of eating homemade meals, those who eat processed and canned food can develop heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, cancer, and depression. Now that the festival season is over, try to eat as cleanly as you can by avoiding processed foods for at least the next month. Increase the amount of fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats in your diet, such as those found in nuts, seeds, and omega supplements.

Also read: Poor air quality in India: Here’s how to protect your lungs from air pollution post Diwali

5. Try to lose weight

Shake off the extra weight within a few weeks because this is the best time to reduce the recent weight gain that is just visible on the surface. The sooner you lose that excess weight, which may become challenging once it settles on you and becomes a permanent part of your weighing scale, the better for you.

6. Eliminate every unhealthy thing from your kitchen

Yes, this is the time you stop eating sweets or fatty foods. So, just clean your kitchen and empty your fridge of the excess sweets, fried foods and other remnants of festivities. This will help you avoid overeating and eating unhealthy foods even after the festival season.

7. Take proper sleep

The festive season may disrupt your routine along with your sleeping habits. During this time, most people party late at night and do not get enough sleep, but now just get back to your routine, ladies. Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep for better sleep hygiene and to sleep on time.