I am still salivating from the juicy bah kwa, buttery pineapple tarts and the savory penchai. The Chinese New Year is a full 15 days of fun, food and laughter. Gorging on all the festive food and drinks that your friends and relatives have to offer. You can’t say no because of courtesy and also the mind is weak.
On the 16th lunar, you jump on the weighing scale and suddenly the numbers weighs heavily on your mind as well as on the scale. You have put on a good 5kg during the past 15 days. Where did all the time (and metabolism) go to? Desperate times calls for desperate measures. It is time for a detox.
Detox diet for at least a week
Cut all forms of sugar and carbohydrates such as rice, bread, potatoes, etc. Increase fruits and vegetable intake. Have the usual proteins such as fish and meat as mains. Have breakfast, lunch and a light dinner. If you are hungry in between, have light snacks such as nuts. Do not have any food after 8pm. Drink lots of water.
Drinking green tea
If you don’t already have the habit of drinking green tea, pick it up at least for the week. It boasts a wholesome load of anti oxidants that and will cleanse and flush your body, leaving it clean and green. Have a cup of hot green tea right after meals.
Regulate sleeping habits
CNY tends to throw one’s sleeping habits into disarray as the celebrations goes late into the night. Getting your body back to sleep before 11pm and having the optimal 8 hours of rest ensures that nutrients from food are effectively absorbed and the body begins to repair itself.
Exercise
If you don’t already exercise, this is probably a good motivation to start enjoying some exercise. Sufficient exercise helps to burn fats and keeps the body in tip top condition. You can also slot in more physical activities in your daily life such as taking stairs instead of the lift. Taking a walk during lunch to a location further from office to explore new variety of food. Alighting one stop before home and walking the remaining journey.
The best tip is however to try eating less next year.